by Ariadna Nefedkina –
Work and prayer should not contradict each other, but they can become two sides of the same coin. It is important to remember that there is a place for God even in the most turbulent flow of life.
In our fast-paced world, where hours fly like birds and things strike us like bolts from the blue, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s really important. We plunge into our routine, forget about moments of peace and quiet, and have no strength to rejoice in the small simple things that make up our whole lives. Like frightened animals, we hide in our “burrows”, which take the form of endless work business, and have stopped looking at heaven.
We run, overtaking each other in the subway, we are afraid to be late, and we hurry even when there is no need to hurry. This is a habit developed over the years—the habit of running after time. And how can we see clearly the world around us at such a speed? But we do not see each other, not to mention the world! We keep running, pushing one another, trying to make it to our destinations in time… But where are we hurrying?… On the way we scroll through news feeds, a string of chats, peek at the alluring and attractive “lives” of other people living on the other side of the screen, and reflect on how lucky they are.
What will we see when we look away for a moment? Here is a young man standing with a bunch of beautiful flowers, smiling and thinking about something—probably about the one the flowers are intended for. There is a woman standing opposite, so pensive and sad, as if she is about to cry… And tears are already flowing down her face. Who has offended her? What is tormenting her soul so much? There is no answer. The train stops, and the woman disappears into the stream of passers-by.
We move our gaze to the end of the train car. An elderly woman is sitting there, holding a small book in her hands and constantly whispering something. Is she praying? Yes, she is praying for her children, grandchildren, and for all of us, asking the Lord to forgive His children who are “always busy” and “have no time” to remember Him even for a moment.
Vanity can cloud the mind, but it is in moments when we pause that we can find time to meditate. Try to set aside a few minutes during the day for quiet solitude. It can be a cup of tea in a corner in your office or a stroll in the fresh air. Allow yourself to stop for a while and think about what really matters. At such moments you can turn to God with questions that bother you, or just thank Him for everything that you have in your life.
Keep in mind that every morning is a new page on which we can write down our own unique and original story. To start your day with prayer means to attune your inner world. After all, every morning we brush our teeth, wash our face and put ourselves in order; likewise, prayer puts our souls in order. It doesn’t have to be a long and complicated prayer. Sometimes a simple, “Thank You for a new day,” or a request for support is enough. Prayers are our shields against everyday vanity.
Work is not only about tasks and reports, but also about the people around us. Each of them is an opportunity for us to show love, care and compassion. Try to see the reflection of God in your colleagues, even when it seems impossible. St. Simeon (Zhelnin) of the Pskov-Caves Monastery used to say, “You don’t know a person’s thoughts or what he will do in the next moment. So don’t judge him and don’t speak ill of him…” Thus, you will free your mind from unnecessary thoughts, and your life will become easier.
Pay attention to the world around you: to nature, the weather, and the people. Feel that you are a part of this amazing and beautiful world, and do not limit yourself to an “electronic box” with a beautiful virtual “life” inside it. Because beyond it real life flows, runs and sings, given to us only once so that we can live it, and not run through it.
Work and prayer should not contradict each other, but they can become two sides of the same coin. It is important to remember that there is a place for God even in the most turbulent flow of life. Every moment is a chance to remind ourselves of His presence. Let God be a part of your life not only when you enter the church, and you will see how vanity turns into harmony, and work into service.
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HT: Orthodox Christianity. (Bolding of key words and phrases, and some minor content organizational changes made by blog editors to improve readability.)
