Technology is a gift in many ways, but by hastening the
speed with which we can heat our food, locate information, and contact each
other, it also has eroded our patience. Without fully realizing it, we have
come to expect instantaneous results in all aspects of our lives, including our
life in the Spirit. Why shouldn’t God reveal all things to us now? What’s the point of waiting?
As I look back at my two years of initial formation as a
Benedictine, it is clear that I would not have been able to grasp all the
wisdom of scripture and the Rule of St. Benedict had it been poured into me on
day one of my postulant year. As gardeners prepare soil to receive the seed, we
must prepare ourselves to receive wisdom and insight. How do we do that?
Through the infinitely slow process of living with others, working, and praying
day in and day out. There are no shortcuts, and the process continues until our
last breath.
We can choose whether to view this process as frustrating (because
we want instantaneous wisdom) or engaging (because it gives us the satisfaction
of building relationships, learning, and enjoying life as a human on earth). The
speed that technology provides is often a blessing, but to reach our full
potential as human beings, we need trust the wisdom inherent in the slow, slow
ways of God.
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