In moments of quiet honesty, I sometimes realize how difficult it is for me to spend time that doesn’t feel productive. That is a serious defect.
At times there have been authors who’ve helped me — Gordon MacDonald, Eugene Peterson, and (often) Henri Nouwen — but this morning it wasn’t an author. I was stretching very early this morning after working out, and I was listening to Chris Rice’s “The Untitled Hymn.”
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
And live.
Why is it so hard just to rest — just to enjoy the presence of Christ? Productivity is so deeply engrained in me that even “rest time” often seems like a perfect time to produce.
- - - -
From my favorite columnist in the Abilene Reporter-News, Garrison Keillor:
“The little girl singing in the next room is blissfully happy at this moment, but the life of a little girl is very dramatic — it revolves around (1) jumping up and down and squealing, (2) collapsing in tears, (3) collapsing in laughter, (4) rapt adoration, and (5) hopeless frustration. Sometimes in rapid succession.
“So it is with Christmas. You can go straight from pure bliss to desperate remorse in less than a minute. There are dead friends that one does not ever quite forget, and there is the great wound of divorce which, even though 30 years in the past, can come open and bleed and almost break your heart. You walk to church and she’s waiting for you in the shadows, asking, ‘Why did you do that?’
“Christmas is an artistic performance, and art, by and large, is not made by contented people. It is made by wounded recluses, freaks, the absurdly self-conscious, the haunted and guilty, the humiliated, the outcasts, and we create this, first and foremost, for our children. To rise up out of confusion and dismay, with ghosts whispering to us, and bake cookies and light a candle and sing ‘Silent Night’ — I can do that for my child, and if your children want to join us, they are most welcome.”
- - - -
I’ve added a temporary link in the right column to the Classics video. Thanks for your comments yesterday. Of course, any singer can look good when he has Randy Harris on rhythm and back-up vocals. (Funny note: someone pointed out to me that it got a “YouTube” honor for being one of the most watched entertainment videos yesterday — ranking right next to a clip of Paris Hilton. Does that go on a resume?)
I love the authors you mentioned because they really speak the way I think and it clicks with me. But there is something to profound to the simple that we often miss it in our hustle to found untrod paths. In our search for the profound we often make the mistake of seeking only the complex and often miss the simple call of Jesus. God bless
I’ve found some of my “unproductive” time is often some of the most rewarding. It never fails to do me a lot of good to sit and visit with a shut-in for an hour or two. I believe it is Marva Dawn who has a book about worship titled “A Royal Waste of Time”. Even gathering to sing and pray to God doesn’t feel “productive”, but what would my life become if I didn’t have that time set aside to reflect and focus?
Even though Randy’s singing might not be perfectly executed, he did write a really good additional verse to “All in All”. I believe Praise For The Lord is the book that has it published along with the regular verses for the song.
The problem that I have found with down time is I can see myself.
Don’t know if anyone will read my comment from yesterday. I agree with Chris in that I didn’t think “Mike Cope Sings the Classics” was very funny. My fondest memories of my mother in law and grandmother are of them singing those songs with tears in their eyes. My spouse didn’t think it was very funny either.
Oh well, different strokes for different folks.
Lee - Thanks so much for putting those comments on here twice, so we’re sure to know that YOU DON’T LIKE THE VIDEO. So don’t watch it again. Some of us love it. And we aren’t humorless enough to fail to realize that the ones who did the video also love these songs and the heritage. So many people take life too seriously. Have you stopped to ask yourself why so many people said they laughed until they were crying? Do you really think all these people don’t have fond memories like you? Is that the difference?
We live in a society that awards busyness. “Rest” is often labeled as lazy. Sabbath principles need to be restored to the life of Christ followers. For the Sabbath to work, it means that we must work hard 5-6 days of the week. Then, REST!!! Waste time with God. Soak in His presence. Enjoy His favor. Rest with Him.
I have to admit that sometimes even Bible reading (sacreligious?) gets in the way of my resting in the presence of God. I think because of my heritage, etc. whatever, I have often looked at the Bible as a textbook to be dissected and parsed, rather than an invitation to sit in the Throne room of the Sovereign and be in awe. Thank you, Mike, for the reminder.
WOW~~ Thanks Emily72 for saying I am humorless. If you knew me that is so far from the truth. I think people on this board just can’t stand it when someone has a “different opinion” from them. Not saying it is “right” or “wrong”. I just didn’t think it was funny~JUST MY OPINION. Trust me I certainly don’t life too seriously~ I just thought it was in bad taste.
Have a great day:)
I thought yesterdays blog was very funny, partly because I care so much for Mike, and because it reminded me of a year at Jubilee where Mike was teaching a class I was in and before he started, he led us in a song. Only later when I had purchased and listened to the tape did I realise that the mic had only picked up mike singing. It was not good, not horrible, but not good. I smile every time we sing that song at church. Also I anxiously await the new book. Rightousness inside out was one of the firt christian books I read early in my christian journey. It had a great inpact on me and I still remember many of the stories in it. It changed me. It made me better.
Sorry for the spelling errors. Let me add-isn’t there something to be said about the intent of the heart? Luv your heart, Mike
Loved the chance to watch the video again. I sat and watched it with my brother who was brought up in the CofC but hasn’t been a churchgoer for decades. He got a big kick out of it and appreciated it for the farce it was. It also gave us a chance to talk about the church a bit…what it was then, what it is today. That is always a welcome opportunity.
“Untitled Hymn” is one of my favorites and, almost without fail, makes me cry. “Fly to Jesus.” Indeed.
Lisa - I absolutely love that description: “not good, not horrible, but not good.” That’s about the most gracious spin anyone can put on my singing. I sing loudly and with great joy. I have not yet, however, been invited by Brandon to fill in with the zoe team. Thanks for those encouraging words about the book. The stories are inside me, and they’re wanting out!
Clint - I’m afraid (in my own case) you’re onto something. In The Way of the Heart, Nouwen said that’s why we prefer noise. Silence makes us come to terms with the voices within.
Mike,
I relate to the productivity issue. Like you, I have been blessed and helped by the same authors you mentioned. I still wrestle with it.
I admit that it is better now than in earlier years. In earlier years, the need to always be productive just consumed me. I’m not sure where that came from or when that started.
In graduate school, there was always so little time–for EVERYTHING. The first decade of my ministry, for some reason, I felt so far behind. Consequently, every waking moment had to be productive. Even “play.”
Presently? I am not through with it or over it. All I can say is that it is better. I have just tried to stay conscious of this tendency in me.
I suspect there are many, many more who wrestle with this as well.
My down time (what little I have) is usually not productive, and I end up feeling guilty for it.
Lee , I can appreciate your POV, though mine is a bit different than yours.
When our congregation sings some of these songs, I’m reduced to tears as I remember my dad’s sweet baritone and my mother’s lovely alto singing them with my brother [as the tenor of the family] and me [soprano] as we made LOOOOONG family car treks each summer to visit relatives. Hated the hot, dusty travel and loved the music.
Maybe it’s easier for those that are well acquainted with Mike’s preaching and teaching style to appreciate their juxtaposition to his ’singing’ - especially when he’s in a kid mood.
Personally, I laughed out loud when first it was played at Highland and again yesterday on second and third listens. But I respect your sensibilities and memories of your mom singing these same hymns.
Thank you Kathy!
I also understand your point of view and I appreciate your kind response.
I thought Mike sounded good. That comes from a supercritic of vocal music, a lifetime in CofC, an inherited ear for music but most of all shaped by the man I loved. I sat beside him in church for 43 years. He could carry a tune perfectly throughout the whole hymn - rarely was it the the tune the rest of us were singing. He was “pitch deaf”.
Kathy,
Our family sang hymns in 4-part harmony while traveling, too. It is one of those things I relish about my childhood and the way my parents shared God with me.
Bobbie - Ha! Again, I take that as a great compliment. My singing is better than that of someone who is completely “pitch deaf.” Thank you for that memory of sitting next to the man you loved for 43 years.
Thanks Mike for your words on rest. Wednesday night, after spending the day working on the Christmas Store, homework, the Christmas Blessing, and the Freedom Fellowship meal, my bedtime prayer was, “I am so tired, please help me to rest!” Thank you God for a winter snow storm and a full day of rest!
Mike,
Thanks for the GK quote. If anyone is interested in reading the whole article, you can do so here:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/11/29/keillor/index.html
Grace,
Jared
Thanks Mike,
We are begging for rest on an hourly basis. Hug our surrogate family the Porters while they spend Christmas with ya’ll! Take care, tchau for now.
Untitled Hymn is my favorite “wind down at the piano” piece lately. I play and imagine someone like BST or Sheryl is singing along with my accompanyment. Not quite up there with MC Sings the Classics, but relaxing still.
I guess I have the opposite problem. I have trouble spending time being productive! I like to play too much.
Christmas was fun as a kid, tolerable when I had little kids, but pretty painful now. I love the message of Christmas but I hate the emotion that comes with it now.
Mike,
Your statement of ,”Productivity is so deeply engrained in me that even “rest time” often seems like a perfect time to produce” is engrained in my generation. We believe must must do everything, by ourselves, at every moment. I guess the Type A personality is prevalent with folks like me.
What has helped me most is moving. Sounds weird, but I moved from West Virginia to South Carolina where everything is taken at a slow pace. Even rush hour moves at a slower space.
It confounded me for months, until I realized I actually get more done in a short amount of time when I have a little relaxation time. Now I need to nap. (Don’t you hate it when you sleep so long you sleep through your morning nap?
God bless,
Gallagher
Paul: “Christmas was fun as a kid, tolerable when I had little kids, but pretty painful now. I love the message of Christmas but I hate the emotion that comes with it now.”
Amen, my brother in Him, Amen!!
Dearly loved Becky!
My ongoing prayer for you and your family has been that we [the congregation] not wear you out. I pray for helpers and that you find more areas where we can help you more. We love you dearly and certainly don’t want you to be discouraged by the amount of work taken on!!!
I am in Groundhog Day and it’s starring Mike Cope “Sings the Classics”!!!!! Half of the 60 blogs that I subscribe to have that video as one of their recent posts. I’ve received about 4 emails telling me about a hilarious video that I MUST SEE!! Indeed, I laughed out loud at the video, and do think Randy Harris steals the show (or maybe the dog). I can believe that your video was most-viewed on youtube because I think it is also “most posted on blogs” and “most sent via email”! Did you have ANY idea what a “hot ticket” that would be? You should have sold copies for Christmas!
Veering off (that) subject — I used to be great with rest and “be still and know”. But now I’m a mom. I definitely feel rest time is “wasted time” and it is a FIGHT for me to come into the presence of God and be still. I love to spend my day in the presence of God, basically invite him to tag-along as I go through my break-neck pace. But I know He wants so much more and better for me. If only I could slow down enough to get it.
Mike..you have brought tears to my eyes this morning…you see, Christmas is so much different for my little family this year. Tonight I have told my kids that we are going to have our own little Christmas party and experience the joy amidst the pain. This post hit me dead center.”To rise up out of confusion and dismay, with ghosts whispering to us, and bake cookies and light a candle and sing ‘Silent Night’ ” and we will……
Beverly - I remember the year we said, “There WILL be Christmas here this year. There WILL be a tree and presents and Christmas dinner.” And there were. It was not fun, but we just clenched our teeth and did it. I think now if we had not, we could not have done it ever again. No, it has never been the same, but there is the joy of the children and the Peace of the season. God be with you.
is it better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all?
Dear Mike,
Can we get an encore performance out of you and Randy?
Beverly,
My heart and prayers are with you.
My dear friend, Beverly.
“Coping” (above) knows what she’s talking about. She has lost two grandchildren — along with other losses in life. And yet she has again and again risen from confusion and dismay to bring joy.
Prayers are with you, dear sister.