In his recent blog Garland (2018) discusses the necessity to step out of the crazy current of the river of life.  Garland’s response is prompted by a reflection of Thoreau’s  call to solitude (Watson, 1988).  Garland shares that only through the pursuit of solitude is it possible to gain the space to recognize that in really seeking Christ, we will find all we really need.

With constant demand on time and dollar and with the recognition that other organizations are constantly pushing forward, it is too easy to be swept up in seeking more.  If we do not push forward ourselves then perhaps we fear that we will be left behind.  Taking time to withdraw however should create space for reflection, renewal and balance.  In this then we as leaders should maintain the steady pace required for the long journey.  Despite the tyranny of the urgent, it is in focusing on the long journey that we are able to realize that we can actually, strategically find time and space for solitude. As Garland suggests, if we use that solitude to balance life in the hand of Christ then we know that we will be able to find our way forward while maintaining our own sense of being.

 

Reference

Watson, L. E. (1988) Light from many lamps New York, NY. Simon & Schuster

Garland, J (2018). Light from Many Lamps, Unit 8. [web log comment]. Retrieved from https://create.twu.ca/jgarland/2018/11/18/light-from-many-lamps-unit-8/