Potato Chip Spirituality - Protecting Your Soul

Issue 2.22

Years ago an American missionary returned from a long stay in Third World countries, where food is scarce. Upon her arrival in the States, she exclaimed,

"I was astonished to see the number of choices one had to make just walking the aisles of the market.

"Take the potato chip section. When I left the United States , there was one basic kind of potato chip. Now there are seventeen or more kinds: salted or unsalted, ribbed or unribbed, nacho, onion, barbecue, taco, sour cream and onion, and so on.

"Think of all the time and effort that has to be expended just to make this incredible numbers of choices between things in abundance."

Author Gordon MacDonald notes, "Even though we are not aware of the relentless barrage of messages coming at us, the combined force of them is still doing a job on us. They quietly sandblast the soul, the seat of conviction and value, threatening our ability to make and implement priority decisions."*

Working in a church office may do even more to "sandblast" our souls, in that the thousands of messages and choices we are faced with are all spiritual. Instead of our minds being dulled to a brand name shoe or root beer company, if we're not careful they can become dull to the Bible itself, and to prayer, and to the things that matter most.

What's the answer? While we can't escape the world as it is, we can choose to simplify.

- Set aside uninterruptible time each week to pray and read the Bible for your own benefit, without the motive of ministry preparation.

- Let Christian junk mail pile up, and look at it all at one time, rather than allowing it to trickle into your everyday thoughts, robbing you of concentration and focus.

- Practice the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude. (click to learn more)

- Intentionally enjoy life. Make time to do fun things, like head for the park, or go swimming, or watch the stars.

* Source: Restoring Your Spiritual Passion, by Gordon MacDonald;
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986; p. 54

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LINK: Escape the Ordinary - Retreat at the Lodge  
Are you looking for a "spiritual" vacation, a time where rest and relaxation are woven together with worship, prayer, and personal encouragement? Life Action's Pastor's Retreats may be an excellent solution for you, your spouse, or even others on your leadership team. Learn how your personal Retreat at the Lodge can be a time of refreshing from the Lord here.

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