Trapped in the Rat Race
Another week is over, it rushed past before I had a chance to catch it and hold it in my mind for a moment. Where did it go? I was going to do so many things. The endless list of chores and responsibilities still stretch out in front of me and I find myself having to try too hard to keep still and relax. Another week with little meaning and fun. 52 hours of work - was it worth it? Did anyone even notice? What difference did it make? Why am I doing this?
It’s easy to look at our bills, to remember that money = food + warm + shelter and accept the cost. But hold on just for a moment; am I comfortable with my life rushing by largely unlived while I give my all just to keep living? Put like that I have to challenge myself hard, have I somehow lost my way or got my wants and needs so confused that I have sacrificed my inner goals?
I don’t need more of everything, and keeping up with the rat race is turning me into a rat. I’m not sure I was designed to live like that. People are more important than things and relationships and happiness need to be nurtured and treasured.
Nonetheless I keep going, but am I fighting or denying the way God made me? Am I becoming instead the way business wants me to be – the ultimate consumer – living just to trade time for cash and cash for disposable goods? Hello empty feeling inside, Hello debt, Hello unhappiness.
Perhaps it’s time to regain some balance and leave the rat race. I was made human so I think I’ll rejoin the human race instead. Hello values, hello life purpose, hello contentment.
So to a new beginning. Time to sit and decide what is important to me and how much I am willing to change or even sacrifice to achieve it. Perhaps a smaller TV and an older car? If less meals out with a few more nights in provides time for visiting friends, caring for family and pursuing your long forgotten dreams all at the cost of less hours at work and a new focus - does it all balance out in the end?
Why not be radical and really change your world? Why not change your future too? Take just one simple step each and every day - make time to consider God and pray.
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Mark 8:36 (King James Version)