What habit(s), I wonder, might we practice that would aid us in our quest to 'celebrate the presence of God'?
I love the game of baseball. I love every level; from the tiniest t-baller to the most overpaid professional. Baseball is a game of focus and habits. When I coached little league I often experienced a 'bird's eye view' of this reality. As I taught 'habits' to the boys and girls I also encouraged them to focus on doing the right things. Habit formation in little league ball players began with discovering what I called counter intuitive behavior. For instance, rather than trying to dodge a fast moving ball bouncing precariously on the hardened clay, I coached them to get in the way of the ball. Counter intuitive behavior. Of course I would coach them in steps - one habit at a time - and helped them practice the necessary habits once learned. I would, for example, show them how to 'square their shoulders,' 'stay on their toes,' 'put their glove hand out front,' 'keep their rear down,' etc. Over time they would no longer think of this as 'counter intuitive' - the thought would become habit - their body would take over and the habit would control their actions. A young player early in the season, who practiced the habits consistently was a markedly different player by the time the season came to a close.
One of the difficulties we always faced was the fans. Every boy and girl always wanted to please their parents, grand parents, friends, etc. (the sooner a parent learns this simple truth, the easier the game becomes for the player (and coach)). In fact, it was not uncommon for them to be so concerned about how the fans were responding that their level of play would fall off considerably - terrible cycle. So, as a coach, it was my job to teach them focus (and keep the fans as quite and kind as possible - the former was definitely more achievable than the latter). I would often say, 'it is just you and the ball. Nothing more, nothing less.' The players who grabbed this concept always seemed to function better. This simple idea allowed them to freely lean into and execute the habits they had practiced. In my mind, we as Christians would do well to develop this type of focus as a habit. We need a regular rhythm that pushes out all the distractions and enables us to be more in tune with God's Presence and His Spirit on a daily basis.
Perhaps a fictitious baseball player named Billy Chapel might provide insight into this quest. Billy Chapel is the famed (though fictitious) baseball player featured in the film, For the Love of the Game. The film utilizes baseball (actually one game of baseball; a 'perfect game') as a metaphor for life; its dreams, desires and disasters. As the film unfolds Billy, at the twilight of his career, is pitching a perfect game (for those of us who do not follow baseball, that means he has faced the minimum number of batters, allowing no hits in the process). Throughout the game, as he is on the mound, his thoughts drift to unfulfilled dreams, dashed hopes, and missed opportunities. Added to all of this, the setting is the Bronx where the fans are infamous for distractions. In nearly every scene the Yankee fans seek to confound this present moment - that of throwing a perfect game. In order to overcome these distractions, he developed a habit he called, 'clearing the mechanism.' It was quite simple. He would 'center' himself on what mattered and only what mattered. In this moment of 'centering' he would say to himself, "clear the mechanism."
Thirty Second Clip from "The Love of the Game"
For centuries Christians of various stripes have practiced a habit called 'The Examen.' The Examen is a weekly and daily rhythm of 'self examination' - it is the practice of 'clearing the mechanism.' Ruth Haley Barton, in her book, Sacred Rhythms, suggests that we practice this habit within the context of God's amazing grace as we retire at the end of each day. She even gives us some helpful questions we might ask:
How was God present with me today?
What promptings did I notice?
How did I respond or not respond?
If your are like me, then you struggle with remaining aware of and celebrating the continuous presence of God. Take a moment tonight and try clearing the mechanism. If this helps you focus, then take this habit to work. Stop at lunch and practice and see if your routine becomes a moment of celebration. Over time, it is habits such as this that lead to human flourishing and a real experience of 'loving the game' - distractions and all!!
the shape of desire.
Biz
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