I hadn't thought about this before, it's very interesting. This reminds me of: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful..." The practice of centering on the needful thing guards against the natural tendency to be wave-tossed, and the increasing stress and uncertainty that follow :) Early in my faith, because I was completely new to faith and scripture, I spent a lot of time just mentally kind of checking in throughout my day - "Lord, help me know if this is what I should do." Later, when the to-dos piled up, that habit really helped me stay anchored.
I hadn't thought about this before, it's very interesting. This reminds me of: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful..." The practice of centering on the needful thing guards against the natural tendency to be wave-tossed, and the increasing stress and uncertainty that follow :) Early in my faith, because I was completely new to faith and scripture, I spent a lot of time just mentally kind of checking in throughout my day - "Lord, help me know if this is what I should do." Later, when the to-dos piled up, that habit really helped me stay anchored.
Love how you’ve articulated this dynamic of “putting off,” “putting on.” Attention in the needful thing counters distraction!
This is straight out of Augustine, as well!!
Unsurprising! :)