Patrick Butler: Another Look

Is it better to live extravagantly, spending minutes, materials and motions on what could fatten the experience of life, or to live simply, exchanging more of what could be had for what could be realized? This key question - that most, if not all religions address - is sometimes answered to no one's satisfaction.

If a never-ending conversation in religious circles is desired, ask "how much should I have?" or "how much is enough?" There are entire journals, radio, public speaking and literary careers built on answering the question. The most serious questions of life are addressed by the simple question, "how should we then live?"

The question opens the proverbial can of worms. Serious subquestions may include "what is purpose of life?," "what is the purpose of wealth?" or even "what is the purpose of freedom?" Buckle your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy ride if anyone expects easy answers.

Some may say, "Whatever makes you happiest" or "it's your life, you decide" or simply "whatever, I don't care." Some may say, "God says ..." and then fill in the blank.

Please stay with me on this one, but I find it astonishing how quickly people want this question answered and to just "get on with it" when it comes to life. That is such a tip-off. It's as if people are saying, "Give me the answer now, do it quick, we have things to do, places to go. I've got people to see, meetings to make, problems to solve, promises to keep; I have miles to go before I sleep."

For those who can't slow down, may I say if there is a God, and to enter into realization of God's truth means slowing down and you can't slow down, there is trouble in River City and you're in it.

Not "there's a problem" or "you have something to work on" or buy another series or attend another meeting or buy a better book, but "you're in trouble."

For those who acknowledge God and look for answers in that domain, may I say again it requires lots of "down time" to get a grip on this thing called "truth." Sorry, but there's no other way. And if one can't get a grip on the truth, trouble is coming because things get confusing out there.

Knowing truth, not just hearing it, takes time free from distractions, appointments, tasks and undertakings. It takes a commitment of quiet time away from pursuits of money (or power), things or pleasures.

Why in the world would God ever do this? Require stillness to solve the problems before us? Perhaps it's because that's when the question, "How should we then live?" is best answered. Maybe it's because all becomes clear the more we quiet our soul like a weaned child leaning on his mother (Psalms 131). Is it possible that's what a Sabbath day is all about?

Perhaps that's when we realize all we're doing to gain happiness really won't do all that much when it comes right down to it. Perhaps God is trying to save us from the futility and floundering of much of daily life and create dependence on a more solid source than fluctuating markets. Maybe that's when we're shown the way, when real wisdom finally comes to the surface and breaks through like the sun at dawn.

Could it be to remind us of what we already know, what we've heard on a thousand weekends? Maybe that's when peace, internally and then externally, begins to blossoms. Maybe it's when our very best dreams come true.

That sounds like a loving God to me.

But I can just hear someone say, "Wow, that would be cool. Where's my I-pod?"

If stillness, um, still doesn't make much sense, then take another look: if you were God, how would you "talk" to people? Through the preacher man? Through the praise of the congregation? Through endless mercy missions to a world of endless suffering?

What if you lived in a country where no one shared your faith or your idea of praise (which often happens with "conversions" of all kinds in various countries)? What if you were in a prison somewhere where meetings weren't available? What if you sacrificed your body on the altar of mercy missions, yet were filled with internal turmoil? That you hadn't done enough to "make a difference" and dying, were yet wondering what life was really about?

May I submit that life's clarity is discovered in time alone with the Creator? Is that not the experience which becomes most precious? I have yet to meet the believer who said quiet time with God somehow impeded their understanding. I meet many more people who say they're far too busy.

Anyone can be still, anywhere in the world. Even now.

Perhaps the real crisis in today's America is not the economy of finances. It's a crisis of the economy of time - time spent alone with God. This time crisis yields a spiritual deficit, exposing a lack of "consumer" confidence that can only be remedied by where our true interest lies.

PATRICK BUTLER
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