“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2.
The Oscillating Fan Syndrome
Have you ever sat amidst other people in a humid room that is void of air conditioning? It is insufferable unless there is a small tripod fan in the corner that is oscillating back and forth, giving you a brief moment of respite when the warm air hits your perspired brow.
One fan in a humid room can only do so much among so many people.
Multitaskers are like an oscillating fan, trying desperately to meet people’s needs with the assemblage of their talents, aspirations, and abilities. However, people often forget that they are only one person, who can target one thing at a time. Sure, you can give fragments of yourself to ten separate endeavors, but only for a short amount of time before you have to move to something else that is petitioning for your attention.
Are you tired of trying to do everything?
Laws of Attraction
There is a certain law of attraction in the perpetual pursuance of success, accolades, and completed tasks. Is there any thrill that compares to crossing things off your to-do list? Am I right, or am I right? Oftentimes we are drawn in by the alluring concept of becoming more, by achieving more, because we are doing more.
Somehow the deception of becoming a multitasking machine has become the normality of individuals across North America, who believe busyness and exhaustion will lead to a bounty of accomplishments and prosperity. We live under the guise that there is never too much to do or too many things to do at once. But, there is too much to do. And if you’re reading this right now, chances are you have a multiplicity of things on your proverbial plate.
Far too many of us live under the pretense that we have to burden our lives with more tasks and projects to become a productivity guru. This concept is a fallacy—you are only one person.
Release the pressure you have placed on yourself to do everything and to be everywhere for everyone.
Are you not dizzy from going back and forth from task to task?
My Life Had To Change
“Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” Proverbs 4:25.
Several years ago I went on a soul-searching vacation to Europe with my best friends. I left all of my anxiety behind in Chicago and wandered through the streets of Paris, eating croissants and drinking copious amounts of coffee. I existed without stress and worry. After traveling through several countries and eating enough bread and cheese to feed a small city, I began my amazing journey home.
The moment I flew into Chicago airspace, I felt the heartbeat of the city. The heartbeat of busy, overburdened, and exhausted workaholics. The heartbeat of multitaskers trying to make tattered ends meet with the leftovers of their dilapidated energy.
Instantly I became angry with myself, thinking, “How dare you take time off when you have so many things to accomplish!” So, I reached into my bag and picked up my phone so I could draft a few emails that I could send to people the moment I landed. By the time I drafted half an email, I had my day-planner in my hand, writing things on my to-do list. So, back and forth I went from several things, trying to multitask myself into doing numerous things at once for the sake of not wanting to feel like a slacker, for the sake of wanting to feel productive.
Under the stress I put upon myself, I struggled to find a deep breath as a result of self-inflicted anxiety.
At that moment, I was unaware that I did not have to share the heartbeat of the city, but that I needed to share the heartbeat of God.
Now, I try to live by Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that You would help me keep my eyes fixed on You. I pray that You would reveal the areas in my life that I have self-inflicted stress, because I desire to focus on the things You are calling me to do for your kingdom. I pray that You would help keep me in perfect peace—let me feel Your heartbeat.
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