For the past three days I’ve been pretty much unplugged. About 10 days ago I decided it was well overdue. With Rebecca and Samuel out of town visiting the in-laws in Birmingham I knew this was the weekend for me to go sit in the woods and be still, to get away from the noise in my life and be quiet. To listen. Slow down. Get out of task mode and just be.
I must say, it’s not easy. All last week I started observing my habits. With any free time I had, I was checking my email, checking my twitter feeds, checking facebook, even checking the weather for cryin’ out loud. I could care less about the weather! I desperately searched for something to keep me occupied. After dropping Rebecca and SJ at the airport Saturday morning, I got really restless. There was nothing in particular I felt like doing. I didn’t even feel like watching T.V. (which I’m thankful for, actually). I was simultaneously excited about and also dreading the overnight camping that night. I knew that being still was like telling a toddler it’s nap time. No matter how obvious it is they need it – they kick and scream and fight it.
Camping turned out great – sleeping out under the stars was so peaceful, not to mention sitting by the fire and sharing fellowship with my friend Bret. I could feel myself slowing down. But as we spent time alone reading and praying on Sunday morning, I knew I needed more of it. I was still coasting forward on the momentum of the past few months of busyness.
So Monday I hiked with another buddy, Nevin, on a trail near Jordan Lake. We caught up for awhile and enjoyed lunch and some quiet. Then in the afternoon I decided to pump up the tires on my mountain bike – which has been sorely neglected for over two years – and hit some trails. I rode for about an hour at Lake Crabtree then sat out by the lake and read for about an hour. I think it was somewhere on that bike ride that I realized God was speaking. My mind had finally stopped running and there was room to hear, though quietly.
At the suggestion of Nevin, I capped off the unplugged weekend by watching Into the Wild, by myself. If you’ve not seen the movie, it’s about a guy who graduates from college then promptly burns his money, abandons his car and sets out for Alaska – with a lot of detours along the way. In the end he discovers that happiness is not real, unless its shared. I cried, I laughed, I got excited, and sad, and inspired. I contemplated what being permanently unplugged might look like for a guy with a wife and baby. And most of all I prayed I won’t let so much time go again before taking another unplugged weekend.
Sunset at Lake Crabtree (taken on my iPhone)
While I’m definitely not going to abandon what I have here and head out on some wild adventure (as amazing as that does sound), I am going to think more seriously about life, and how I spend my time. I’ll probably fast from facebook and twitter for awhile and then figure out how to use those things for what they’re good for, without letting them create more noise in my life. I might use email less. I might go hiking in the woods more regularly. I might play my guitar more. I’m not trying to make drastic changes. Just little things that will hopefully create space and quiet and time in my life to do things I always wish I were doing like reading books, praying, creating things, creating meals, teaching my son new things, or appreciating my wife.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Like the double rainbow guy, I’m asking myself, “What does it mean?” Right now, I’d say I’ve learned that with too much noise in my life and too much busy activity, I can’t hope to hear God. I must be still and create space to hear, to be filled and renewed, to find my center again. If more than a few months goes by and I haven’t done this again – I give everyone reading this permission to bug me, send me threatening emails or even better, invite me out to the woods or on a hike!
I was encouraged to see your blog this morning. I have thought, and felt, the same way this weekend as I prepared to head northward into the wild yonder of northwest arkansas. I wasnt going to take my phone, and even went as far as having my friends program Bill’s phone (who stays perpetually unplugged) so I could just leave it off. No facebook, no weather channel (unlike you, I am REALLY devoted to this site!). Its so warm out, what if it rains and I wasnt able to anticipate it? Do my friends on FB really care if I am looking at bugs and rocks today?? Do I??? Last week I saw a show where a doctor explained the physiological effects of twitter, FB, texting etc. in teenagers much like what adults feel when shooting heroin into their veins. Maybe so, as I felt the agitation and desire to switch my phone off, check FB etc. like an addiction. And therein lies the same thorny issue, rolled into another distracting way, which keeps me from having the direct line to God. There’s so many things missed!! So I am all about being unplugged! And am wondering if this too should be included in the fast…..peace brother!!
Chelle – let’s go camping! And interestingly, as I’m getting back into work mode today my focus is much sharper!
Nate,
This is a great post. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with you and look forward to the next time we unplug.
Your brother,
Nevin
Amen brother! Good stuff. Wanna go camping?
I would write a longer comment but I have to go check my facebook and email.
Your blog made me think of this quote;
“Better, far better, do less work, if need be, in order that we may pray more; because work done by the rushing torrent of human energy will not save a single soul: whereas work done in vital and unbroken contact with the living God will tell for all eternity.”
dude, justin and i were just talking about how powerful that movie is. i’m glad you didn’t die in an alaskan bus, though, with your day of solitude.
your post made me think of what c.s. lewis says: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
so it’s not like your unplugging/shutting down. you’re really opening yourself up that more deeply and intimately to God, allowing Him to fill you with joy as He whispers sweet love songs to you. I, too, need more of this, and less “settling” for less.
thanks for sharing!
Hey Nate,
You are using the gift again that God has given to you! Wow! Please don’t stop. Even in Mexico we need a reminder to unplug from time to time. Thanks for sharing your life and godly insights with others.
Grace to you,
Pops
Nate-yes lets camp soon. SJ has his tent too!!! Also, this past weekend I snorkled the Kings river and its amazing the sounds you hear under water!
Let’s all go camping!!!