Dear Faith Family,
You don't have to be a social scientist, cultural commentator, or medical professional to recognize we (as individuals and society) are experiencing the ill effects of an ever-churning current of unease permeating our daily existence. Though such persons are regularly reporting the fact, often contending that the levels of anxiety and restlessness we live with are unprecedented. The solution of most pundits and professionals is to manage the effects, treat the symptoms, or, worse, attempt to escape the pressure. Yet, as Steven Cuss points out,
“[Humans] face a steady onslaught of internal and external pressures we are not trained to handle. We focus on skill development and hone our gifts but too often neglect the most powerful [life] tool: awareness of what is happening under the surface.
All manner of triggers, reactivity, and stories we tell ourselves bubble just under our conscious awareness. This boiling collective blocks our capacity to be present because it takes energy to manage, especially when we’re not aware of it or when we’re reacting unconsciously to anxiety in someone else."
Acknowledgment that we are constantly facing anxiety—whether yours, mine, or ours—is not the same as awareness of the particulars of our unease and restlessness. Recognizing our mechanism for management, identifying our triggers and reactivity, and exposing the stories we live by won't automatically make us less anxious or more apt to cultivate peace, however. There are no quick fixes. Still, awareness is the place to start:
“Awareness is critical to be sure, but it is not the path of growth; it is simply the gate. We unlock it and walk through it, but on the other side of self-awareness is difficult work that brings deeper freedom for us and those we [share life with]." (Steven Cuss)
This Fall, we'll be doing several things to help us unlock and walk through the gate of awareness as we continue (discover) the difficult work of deeper freedom, of living simply to flourish. In addition to offering the Entering Awareness Group (see the image above), we'll learn to pay attention to our racing hearts, spinning minds, and tightening guts as we listen to Jesus' words and the Spirit's examening. You can find the first guided practice here.
As we take responsibility this week and during the weeks to come to open the door of awareness, may we enter into the steady work of living abundantly (Jn. 10:7-10), at peace amid the raging currents of today and every day:
“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
(Matthew 7:24-27)
Love you faith family! God bless.