Wasting Time with God, Together

By Angela R. Hooks for Shalem Institute

When I’m doing, it’s all about my goals and productivity. I am constantly busy planning and thinking about the past, present, and future. I can mentally visualize the calendar in my head, making decisions about people to see, places to go, and things to do, both in my personal and professional life, as well as in my church life.

Through my Group Spiritual Direction workshops, I have come to realize that the problem with doing is that the busyness does not allow me to be still long enough to listen for the voice of God in “sheer silence (I Kings 19:12).” Sometimes, the busyness overwhelms me, and — like the prophet Elijah — I am ready to give up. But in the solitude, waiting in God’s presence, Elijah heard the quiet voice ask, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” and inviting him to re-engage his work.

During large and small group gatherings at my GSD workshops, the same question often arises in my mind, “Angela, what are you doing here?” Generally, I think that I know what I need to do. But in each online retreat, I find the time and space to practice being still, waiting to hear God’s gentle whisper. No rushing impetuously. No multitasking. No lurking on social media during meetings or muting myself so that I can cook or fold laundry.