Energy

“The Apostle calls a Christian, miles - a soldier.” (Saint Josemaria, “Furrow”, at 75).

The Holy Faily with a Little Bird (Murillo)

I have a lot of energy.

I do not like to waste time, and I like to put my full attention into everything that I apply myself to.  This means that I am usually very busy rushing around like crazy.  And while this might sound like a great use of my time – because there is never a dull moment – there is also a problem with this approach…  You see, I do not stop long enough to take it easy.  And by take it easy, I do not mean that I should be lazy or not work hard.  What I mean is that I should take time to focus on the things that are important.

We live in a very fast world.  Fifty years ago, it would be considered a very big deal to make a trip to visit a relative in another city or town.  Now, I could dive three hours down a freeway to get from my home to Canberra and then return in another three hour drive that afternoon.  It would be considered no incredible feat to travel a great distance over the course of one day and to travel back again.  In fact, my family and I have made this trip several times.  We have also driven very far north in Australia and back in a week.  The drive and travel and distance is in itself a very enjoyable thing to do together.

And I have been reflecting on this today because those sorts of journeys were incredibly difficult and dangerous in olden times.  It would take people weeks to travel those sorts of distances.  And sometimes, people did not travel at all.  They certainly did not travel along freeways and in airconditioned cars with access to amenities and fuel along the way. There were no rest stops or pit stops.  There were no well-lit roads.  It was dirty and dusty and dangerous work to travel.  And people did it.  The Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph did it.  Christ Himself and His disciples did it too.  In fact, Christ sent His disciples out in pairs to preach in His name.  That meant He sent them to travel.  And all over the land they went…  And it was dirty and dusty and dangerous and not airconditioned.

“The Apostle calls a Christian, miles - a soldier. Thus it is that in this holy and Christian war of love and peace for the happiness of all souls, there are, in God's ranks, tired, hungry soldiers, covered in wounds ... but happy. For they bear in their hearts the sure light of victory.” (Saint Josemaria, “Furrow”, at 75).

And I have been thinking about that today as I consider my energy and where place it and my time.  And it occurs to me that this world is full of distractions, but there are some things that I should slow down for, because my energy is required in longer bursts than I am used to giving…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.