It’s OK To Be Unavailable

Somewhere along the way, life in the 21st century has become out of control.  The rapid development of technology was supposed to be a good thing and in some ways it is.  However, we ended up exchanging what was best for what was only good and sometimes even detrimental.

In the midst of the “glorification of busy” we have seen an increase in mental health concerns, especially among women and children.  It is worth mentioning that when we take a look at the traditional Christian Spiritual Disciplines, we see that the practice of silence and solitude is of critical importance to the development of the spiritually healthy Christian.

Did you know that it’s OK to be unavailable?

Really, it is even more than OK, it is good for you, your family, your job, and just about every area of your life.  Intentionally creating space to become unavailable for a portion of every day will lead to huge benefits in your life.  Now, I can’t promise that everyone will appreciate your newfound freedom to consciously choose to become “unavailable”.  I make the decision NOT  to answer my phone every time it rings or text back immediately.  I choose to look at email once every day and I also do not immediately (within moments) respond to comments on social media or The Peaceful Haven.  I have intentionally built these spaces into my daily schedule in order to focus on what is important to me. God, my husband, my children, my mission, extended family, and friends.

I understand that my choice to be “unavailable” is annoying to others.  Somehow we want others to be available to us at a moment’s notice.  In the same way, we want stores and gas stations to be open 24/7 or are irritated when we have to wait in line.   It seems that patience is no longer a virtue.  We have forgotten how to focus on the person in front of us.

Is being available all the time even possible?

If we look at the personal consequences of being on call 24/7  we can come up with a long list of harmful side effects. Physical, spiritual, educational, and emotional well-being all suffer because of this behavior.  Just take a look at our society as a whole.  What do you see? When looking at statistics we see that this generation of children is the most unparented generation ever.  Individuals are tired, stressed, and overwhelmed too.

I challenge each one of you to take a look at your life and see where you can create some space in your daily schedule to be “unavailable”.

Look at the activities that you are involved in and prayerfully consider if they match up to your life mission?  How about extracurricular activities for your kids.  Are they helping your family and children follow wholeheartedly after Christ or are they allowing them to lose focus?   Take a look at your own daily schedule and intentionally choose to have some downtime.  If you are a mother with young ones you may have to wait until nap time.  Or maybe, you make it a personal rule to NOT answer the phone or text when you are playing with your kids.  What are you saying to your loved ones when you text at the dinner table?

Make an intentional rule to choose the “live person” in front of you to interact with instead of the one on Facebook or Twitter.  For the record, I do not have it all together in this area.  I am still learning how to make intentional choices that glorify God.  By choosing to be “unavailable” to unnecessary demands I am actually choosing to be more available to God.  Which is always a very good thing.

I leave you with this thought…

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Are you interested in learning more about Christ-Centered Slow Living?  Click HERE!

YOUR TURN…

What are some creative ways that you choose to make time to be “unavailable”?

Blessings,