I read a wonderful book entitled, Blind Descent, about a gentleman who climbed Mount Everest. The author made a statement that got me thinking. As he was climbing up a certain section by himself, all he could see was white and hear was occasional wind gusts. It was too quiet, which by the way, could be a dangerous situation for a solo climber.
It got me thinking about all sources of stimulation that bombard our senses all day long. When do we have to think about rather than just react to life? In 1775 90% of Americans lived in rural areas, as compared to only 16% today. Life was not only slower, but much quieter back then as well. What did they do with that time? One was to think, as they had less sensory bombardment to wade through.
I was talking with a guy in his early 20’s who doesn’t even read his emails. He said there were simply too many of them and that avoids group texts as well! He’s already learning what many of us need to understand: we just have too much data to filter through and filter out today. We all face a tad too much stimulation. No wonder most Americans are tired! Our brains are always working and storing all the stuff it hears, sees and smells, let alone touches and tastes.
Am I afraid of what I might hear inside me? Am I playing music, watching a show and playing a game on the Internet whiled eating snacks all at the same time because I’m afraid of what I might hear if I slowed my pace and turned down the volume?
Too much stimulation is not good if we want to renew our minds (aka rewire our brains) and be remade in Christ’s image. Gives new meaning “to be still and know that I am God” doesn’t it?
Set Free Now“W”w