Some of us are happy to stay put, while for others it just seems like we can never get enough of going. I am the person who is constantly in the go mode. For many years, I think that I questioned whether this was really healthy, but my conclusion after all this time is clear. It is just who I am.
Many years ago, a neighbor commented that my car would come in and out of the driveway, so often that it looked like it was in constant motion. If I realized then what I know now, then it would be easy to explain.
I am one who is called to go down the road, and go down often. In fact, if I am home for too long I begin to feel a bit restless. Yet, even when we are called to go, there has to be a maturing in what this really means. What I have learned is that to go without purpose has no purpose. Even if that purpose is to do something just for me, it is still driven by purpose.
We all know those that are constantly kept busy to the point of distraction. They have carved out a life for themselves that is so consumed by busyness that they have little time to process the moments. For many, this is precisely what they want to do. It may be that there are situations that need to be reconciled, but they are not ready to face them, so they busy themselves into exhaustion instead.
I know a young woman who is grieving the loss of her brother. She is going, and doing, but she is also sad. As I was speaking to her recently I realized that she just needed to talk. What was apparent, was that she realized it as well.
There are many among us who need to give themselves permission to just sit with someone they trust. To be quiet, to be immobile, and to turn their engine off, even if for just a short time.
When I am sitting with someone, then I need to be sure that I am attentively engaged. If I am looking over their shoulder to see what else is happening beyond them, then I have not learned how to turn my own engine off. To idle, gives the impression that you are more interested in getting away rather than seeing the person who needs you right where you are. Going is only good when it is understandably responsive to stopping.
Mark 6:31 NLT Then Jesus said, “ Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile. He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”