by Craig Mayes on July 8th, 2011

When I left my office today, I watched a business man dressed in a suit, in a hurry, texting on his phone as he cut diagonally across the intersection of Madison Avenue and 38^th Street. I’m not sure which direction had the green light, but it didn’t matter. He wasn’t looking. Somehow, he managed to make it across the street without meeting his maker.

After observing this, I decided to conduct a survey on the mile walk from my office to my apartment- how many people were walking and using their phones? The results- 32 people talking on the phone. Ok, that’s not so bad. I do that. And those of you who still own a car and drive, you probably drive and talk- hopefully using your hands free device. But here was the astonishing finding. 29 people were either texting or sending, reading email as they walked! Multitasking, working, getting stuff done, communicating on their way home, or to dinner.

I have been guilty of doing this, even though it’s quite stupid and dangerous. Of course, when I do, it, it’s because I have something really important to read or communicate that can’t wait! Everyone who does is just annoying and inconsiderate, and a menace to all the rest of the walkers. But this post isn’t about annoying people who text through intersections or on busy sidewalks. It’s about green pastures, and still waters, and a lifestyle that has crowded out the possibility of finding either of these.

Perhaps you know the reference. I taught this passage at my church gathering last Sunday. I memorized it when I was 6. I’ve never been that good at doing it.

The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (and here is the key!) He restores my soul.

How is it with your soul? What is the condition of your inner being? At peace? Content? Joyful? Or maybe stressed? Ramped up? Anxious?

The soul has to have green pastures and still waters.  One of the characteristics of the times in which we live is that we find it very difficult to unplug. To slow down and shut down. And our devices tempt us to keep life going at an outrageous pace. Even walking away from work, we work. We check our email again. We send a few more text messages. And it may be that at least some of the 29 who were ‘wexting” (my new word for walking and texting) were not working, but communicating with friends. But what if they didn’t have the world in the palm of their hand? What might they be doing instead? What if the 10 or 30 minute walk was an opportunity to think, to reflect, to listen? Could it be that even a walk down busy and noisy streets could be a sort of green pasture? A still water? No one’s talking to you, and you aren’t talking to anyone- well, expect maybe to God.

Today my reading in Psalms was from chapter 37. It was a fitting follow up to Psalm 23 from last Sunday:

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.

Taking time to be still, to be quiet, to wait, to listen is so difficult. And it’s so critical for our soul’s to be healthy. Whatever it takes. Today’s survey has convinced me that when I walk, which I do a lot here, I will try to see that as green pastures and still waters, and I’m going to leave my cell phone in my pocket. So don’t call me.

And even in the city, maybe even more so, I must  find that quiet place where he will make me lie down, and be still and listen. And be restored.