My eyes were burning.
I squinted and blinked a few times, as I heard an overwhelming buzzing noise inside my head.
Trying to recover full awareness, I shook my head a couple of times.
It felt like my brain had barely survived a fire-fight, and was now limping away from the battle field in search for any available help.
And in a way, that was precisely what was happening.
I then closed my laptop, looked at my watch and realized that for the past 8 hours I had been standing in front of the screen, with barely any breaks.
Did some research.
Wrote an article.
Responded to email.
Attended a Zoom meeting.
Read and reviewed an electronic agreement.
Had another Zoom meeting.
Took a quick lunch break.
Then a third Zoom meeting, followed by a fourth.
Responded to email again.
All that, while having a few ongoing conversations via group chat.
I was completely fried.
Was it a “productive” day? Maybe.
But my soul’s condition was giving testimony that this artificial environment is not what we were designed for.
Our souls were made for The Real.
We were created in the wild and then brought into a spectacular garden, so that from there— our Eden-home, we would explore, adventure and rule over this fairy-tale-like creation.
“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Take a deep breath and picture this:
Oceans, fish, dolphins, whales, coral reefs… Sailing the open seas with the wind on your face.
Mountains, meadows, rivers, bears, humming birds… The sounds of a quiet brook hidden deep in the woods.
Now, if you’re taking a moment to actually read this—instead of just scanning through because you’re in a rush—pay attention to your heart’s reaction to the words you just read.
You may want to take a deep breath and read them again…
Now contrast that with your heart’s reaction to these words:
Zoom Meeting.
Yes, we have traveled far from Eden. Far from God’s original design.
Our current environments, as most of us experience them, are great for maximizing productivity and efficiency.
But they do so at the expense of our minds, hearts and souls.
Now, I know… We live in the times we live in.
Building a cabin in the woods and unplugging from society to move in it is not realistic for most of us.
Neither is raising sails and cruising the open seas for the rest of our days.
God created us “for such a time as this” and pretending that it is the 1800s is simply not helpful.
We must learn to live with our current challenges and walk in union with God to not only survive in them, but allow our souls to thrive.
Because here’s the good news. God’s provision is always greater than any particular challenge a generation may face.
And for these current challenges, there is a provision.
Since that episode I described above, God has nurtured my soul, in the dailies, through very simple and accessible practices.
Many of them are explored in detail by John Eldredge in his book Get Your Life Back. They include “benevolent detachment”, “drinking beauty”,* and “allowing transitions”.
The One Minute Pause app (iOS and Android) has also become a daily life-line to God. Particularly the 30-Days to Resilient Program.
But more recently, God has been inviting me to experience more of him through new daily habits that have brought vibrant life to my soul.
These simple and accessible practices all fall under this category:
Experiencing “The Real”
Think about it.
Most of what we experience on a daily basis is artificial—man-made, designed for comfort and convenience, for increasing productivity and efficiency, and with the promise of immediate gratification.
And the effect of this daily experience of the artificial in our souls is simply life-sucking.
On the other hand, as Allen Arnold points out in his new book, “Risk The Real” (highly recommend it), “The Real is the true way to view life based on God’s original intent for us and this world”.
So experiencing The Real is returning to him, and to his creation as he designed it.
And in doing so, receive him and his life, so that our souls can once again flourish and thrive.
This doesn’t require us to become hermits or moving permanently to an off-the-grid cabin.
But it does require intentionality in moving in the opposite direction to what the artificial culture is constantly inviting us into.
To start, here are two simple practices that I have adopted, in order to intentionally experience The Real in this season.
I encourage you to give them a try, and to walk with God and come up with some others that may nourish your soul.
Outside, First Thing In The Morning.
I wake up, connect with God in my heart, and immediately get outside.
I take a few deep breaths and purposefully engage with God in his creation.
(Note: I live in a normal home in the suburbs—I simply walk out to my backyard).
I look up at the stars and wait for the pink and orange colors in the horizon as the sun begins to come out.
I listen for bird sounds (interrupted by car engines), and watch curious squirrels walk around on the branches of nearby trees.
“Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for a new day”.
It’s important to note that most mornings I don’t want to do this.
We’re currently in the thick of winter in Colorado. I’m watching the snow fall as I write this. The last thing I feel like doing before dawn is getting outside.
But most mornings I do, and I experience God in The Real and my soul thanks me for it.
Make A Real Fire
We are blessed to have a gas fireplace at home, and especially in the winter, we use it daily.
Walk to it, flip the switch and that’s it. Easy and convenient. I love it.
No smoke, no smelly clothes, warmth and comfort at the flip of a switch.
And yet, compared to a real fire, it is like the elevator version of your favorite song.
Those very things that my gas fireplace helps me avoid—the smell, the smoke, and especially the process of lighting the fire—are the very things that my soul needs to receive God’s nurturing care.
So in the evening, I walk to the fire pit in my backyard—hatchet and a lighter in hand.
I split the wood, make the kindling, start the fire.
I slowly nurture it, feed it and grow it.
I tend to the fire while watching the flames move. I feel the warmth on my skin. The smoke consumes me.
And then, I sit back and do nothing.
Sometimes by myself. And sometimes the roaring fire serves as an invitation for my family to join.
It is always followed by laughter and joy.
“Thank you, Jesus. For my sons’ joy and how their laughter is the soundtrack of our home.”
Wait—who in the world has time for this?
Exactly. I don’t either.
But when I choose to say No to some other “urgent thing” and instead slow down to God’s pace and join him around the fire—in The Real, my soul can release all that it’s been exposed to, all that it’s been carrying, and find its rest in him.
Those are only a couple of examples. Here are some others that you may want to try:
Experience the elements. Get outside, particularly when it is windy, snowing or raining—when you’d rather stay indoors.
Lay on the ground—grass, sand, or snow. Feel it for a few minutes, watch the wind move the trees above.
Replace processed foods for real foods. Give it a month and you’ll see how your body responds.
Instead of another zoom call, talk on the phone while walking around the neighborhood.
Or much better, even if it is “inconvenient”, choose to meet face-to-face. And if possible, meet outdoors.
Instead of going to a coffee shop, go to a park. And dare taking some time to do nothing.
And if you do visit a coffee shop, be like this guy from the meme Allen Arnold quotes in “Risk The Real”:
“I saw a guy at a coffee shop today.
He had no smartphone, no tablet, or laptop.
He just sat there drinking coffee.
Like a psychopath.”
Yes. In the artificial times we live in, we need to become the psychopath.
Much love,
—
Pablo with WILDSONS