This week I took my quarterly white day. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, a white day is when you retreat from all the noise in order to think, create, cast vision or - in my case - seek God's vision and God's voice. No e-mail. No cell phone. And most of all, no social media.
I do this periodically because my soul needs it. And so does my ministry. Other voices become more prominent than God's; so getting away affords me the opportunity to listen on a level I rarely do. You see, we rarely need to give God permission to speak. I find He often is... Instead, we need to give ourselves permission to listen to Him and no one else.
So this past Tuesday I shut it all down. I read. I studied. I prayed. I listened. I was still. And it was beautiful. I felt the return of a connection with Him that, honestly, had grown dim. And so I decided to stretch out that time a little longer and honestly, the experience has been so refreshing that I'm thinking of hanging up social media permanently. No Twitter. No Blog.
A multitude of counselors is great. Necessary, even. I get that. But I don't think social media qualifies in that regard. If I am truly desperate to hear from God, then I need to show Him I am willing to be still and listen...
Here's to listening... to Him.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
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5 comments:
good for you. and your ministry.
got a sincere question for you - any idea how stay at home moms can do this too? moms of little ones who don't go off to camp or school or whatever.
i apologize if it sounds like i'm not trying very hard or that i've got my priorities all screwed up. but i don't have a quiet place. and nothing i've tried has worked. so i'm looking for suggestions. maybe someone outside my own skull can see opportunities that i'm missing.
thanks.
I love that you've made white day a discipline, Drew. Often times, I find myself only taking time like this when I'm on the brink of burnout, rather than to stay refreshed.
Good word. Love ya man.
Great question on how stay-at-home moms can find the space for solitude, Lisa. Obviously, I'm not a stay-at-home mom, and I won't even begin to try to imagine what its like to live with the constant noise and to live with a constant shadow as you move from room to room. That said, this is where the idea of marriage as a partnership really becomes important. If solitude is what you need, you have to talk about it with your hubby. Few husbands are discerning enough to recognize when our wives need time away, so we need you to ask us (nicely) and help us figure out a way to give you that time. It may not be for a whole day, but a morning alone can do wonders for the soul. You could also try trading a block of time with another mom - take her toddler for a few hours one day and then have her return the favor for you on another.
Just an idea. I'll be praying that God would create a space for you to get away and listen to Him.
My best to Ben and the kiddo's. Miss seeing you guys in Epoch!
Good idea, Drew.
I hung it up last year in an experiment--I fasted from social media for three months to see if my life would be better or worse. My life was way better without it. So, after three months I reevaluated the role that social media would play in my life--for me it wasn't complete abstention but more moderation.
Never heard of the white day before but I think I will have to sample that one.
BTW, cudos to D&D on the addition to the house. Most home additions make noise in creation then sit in silence while you enjoy living in them, but not this one. You will enjoy the noise of your new addition after its done living inside you (Dawn more specifically). Congrats.
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