The idea of ‘learning to master my devices before they master me’ is not a new one. But in these days of news and opinion overload, how much more do I need to know how to silence my machinery…

I love this:

“When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.”

– The Message; Matthew 5:1,2

What Jesus is about to share with his climbing companions will change their lives forever…

But what really grabs my attention here is how Jesus, and those who want to listen to him, go off in the opposite direction from the huge crowds. They climb a hillside and find a quiet place.
No huge crowds.

What’s my equivalent of climbing a hillside, of finding a quiet place?

It’s very simple. It’s very close by. And a bit (!) radical.

That quiet hillside happens when I put down the cell phone, or the tablet, when I close the laptop, turn off the TV, and leave the “huge crowds” behind.

And if the silence needs to be broken, let it be talking with others, talking with myself, talking with God. Community. Reflection. Prayer. These will keep me sane.

Confessional moment: I’m using “I”, “me” and “my” with good reason, as I’m one of the world’s worst at this. The irony here is that I’m fortunate enough to live literally on a green hillside (*), yet frequently find myself trapped behind a device; I don’t see the trees for the text.

… How about we go off and enjoy a hillside break – right NOW!

(*) Hence the sunset photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/annvanwijgerden/