Where Has all the Energy Gone?
One of the best experiences I can have is sharing my thoughts and faith with others who are interested in exploring the “what and why” of their thoughts and faith. When I started on this journey with Keith last year I thought it would be pretty easy to make the time to do the studying and then put together cogent posts, not because I had so much time to do it, but because I love it so much. Surely that enjoyment would give me the energy “to do it all”, right?
Boy was I wrong. Sure I’ve kept up with the reading and I’ve listened to the Torah Pearls associated with each of our sections, but putting the words “on paper” has felt very nearly impossible. And that in-depth study that I long to do is simply out of my reach with all the limitations on my energy. Oh yes, quite often the time is there, but life has sapped the mental and emotional energy that I want to put into this dialogue.
As we’ve entered Devarim I’m especially bothered by this. Moses is preaching what are probably the best sermons in the history of preaching, I’m excited as I read his final words to the people before they enter the Land and I am full of wonder and awe, until about 5 minutes after I finish reading, or listening to the Torah Pearls. I have to get ready for work, feed the dogs, get the kids up, eat breakfast, etc., etc., etc. By the time I get to work I’ve very nearly forgotten what it was that caused the wonder and awe I experienced before “life” interrupted. And I actually have forgotten by the time I’ve gotten home from work, heard from the children and husband, fed the dogs again, dealt with dinner, etc., etc., etc. I’m lucky to have the energy to get ready for bed; I sure don’t have the capacity to rekindle the awe I experienced previously.
I wonder how many people participating in this dialogue can relate to my experience. There were 100s of posts in Genesis and we were all so excited and ready to go back then, but when we completed Bamidbar there were only 58 posts. Have we gotten tired? Has life interrupted and sapped the energy and excitement we had when we began?
Ps 119:25 – My soul clings to the dust; Revive me in accordance with Your word.
Ps 119:169;176 – May my plea reach You, O Yehovah; grant me understanding according Your word…I have strayed like a lost sheep; search for your servant, for I have not neglected your commandments.
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August 9, 2019 at 5:28 pm /
Dear Dawn
Shabbat shalom . How honest and heartfelt your words are and at the end encouraging . I too have found it hard to get the time to keep up with comments and the cares of this world can try to entice your mind but thank Our maker our Father that we can do all things not by might and not by power but by His in dwelling spirit . Thank you for the encouragement .
Agape Shabbat shalom
Julie Ojemhen
August 10, 2019 at 9:38 am /
It’s been 5 months since I wrote this post and I still struggle with time and energy. 🙂 I think it’s an American issue if the articles I see on LinkedIn are any indication. We’re just always on the go.
Thank you for the reply. I caused me to re-read those final words from Psalms and our Father’s word is always a good word (even at those time it rebukes).
March 27, 2019 at 9:26 pm /
I haven’t posted before but I am still reading and listening – the pressure eased with Joshua because there was only 2 podcasts and I spread those over two days.
Because I started immediately after Christmas and not in the new year I’m a few days reading ahead of most people. (Actually I’m not reading I’m listening to the David Suchet reading of the NIV – and all the different words/translations/interpretations are jumping out at me)
Why am I doing this – I tried reading aloud but found I gloss over the meaning just as I do when reading silently. But listening (that is opening my ears to hear), especially when I move around and do things that don’t require my attention, is effective for me (and If I’m interrupted I can listen again!
I may not post again – but be sure I will still be here.
March 26, 2019 at 7:45 am /
Shalom,
Actually I hoped this would be a learning experience as well as a reading together. I soon realized this was not feasible due to the pace of our reading. However there are times when words I had forgotten as we read the TORAH have popped into my mind to ponder. This shows that even as the daily grind wears us down, spiritually, and subconsciously the words are in us and the value of this may be more than we can imagine.
March 27, 2019 at 7:28 am /
I have experienced the same thing in my life. Yehovah is faithful to bless us. He knows we are limited and looks on our efforts with that “chen”, that sparkle of love in His eye and reminds us of His love as we do what we can.
Toda, Timothy for this reminder.
Toda, Father for Your grace.
March 26, 2019 at 7:35 am /
Shalom,
Actually I was hoping this would be more of a learning experience along with the reading. However, it soon became apparent this was not feasible with the pace of the reading. I wonder when Israel came and heard the TORAH read to them what that was like. So do not feel like you are the only one. Some times TORAH words I have totally forgotten pop into my mind for me to ponder. So even though as the daily grind takes its toll on us in our spirit and subconscious mind the power is still working.
March 20, 2019 at 11:52 pm /
Hi Dawn,
I have not been on here a whole lot from the beginning partly because I also started a private reading group with family and friends who are Christian – some are Torah observant and some are not but I wanted to do it as sort of an outreach so I spend much of my “free” time sharing there. I am noticing the same thing you are. In myself and in the others in my private group who have been consistent in contributing to the dialogue.
I agree 100%! This book is awe inspiring and leaves me with the feeling of “wow!”, every morning when I finish reading. Then, I don’t always have time to expound or comment and I completely lose what my thoughts were by the time I get home from work.
March 22, 2019 at 5:49 pm /
Having people to come together with is such a blessing. Blessed is our Father who has given you such a gift. 🙂
Shabbat Shalom!
March 18, 2019 at 1:47 pm /
all things are common to man. be encouraged, He will complete the work in you. you describe life relative to the observer
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