I’ve been thinking a lot about immediacy. You know, it gets pegged as such an American concept, but I think it’s a worldwide epidemic. I think it’s a symptom of a big human problem. It pacifies our desire for lasting joy. And when we invite immediacy into our everyday lives with open arms, we are inadvertently inviting compromise.
My lightbulb moment this week was sparked by Amazon Prime. I LOVE me some Amazon Prime, and especially with my student rate. It’s so convenient. No time wasted between wanting a product and having it in hand. But it’s insidious. I’m so accustomed to hopping on Prime the second I start almost wanting something. Then it’s in my hand in two days. And you know how much my Amazon orders improve my life? Usually a big fat 0%. Then it’s off to wishing for (and immediately acquiring) the next thing, when I know good and well it won’t fulfill my restless spirit.
One of my favorite Allen Stone lyrics goes like this:
Robbing Peter to pay Paul,
As long as I stay comfortable
Cash that paycheck, spend it all
On stuff I’ll throw away next Fall
Remember what it used to be like to wait for something? Like, really wait? To exercise patience? I’m embarrassed to say, I’m not sure I really do. Which is why I’m challenging myself. I’ve been trying to intentionally slow down lately. For example, I’ve been saving up for a pair of nicer headphones. (Wow, what self control. Big moves, Grace.) It sounds silly, but it’s such a novel concept. I don’t need them, but they would make certain things easier. And I’m not some crazed shopaholic, but I did notice that when the thought crossed my mind, I read a handful of reviews, picked a functional and fashionable pair, and put them in my cart in probably 5 minutes flat. Before I hit checkout, though, I stopped to consider it. Why am I ordering these? This $30 could be put to better use this week. I don’t need these right away.
And if we really want to analyze this, I think it comes down to the fact that I need to be still. Scripture calls us to, and I rarely take a breath anymore. I convince myself that I don’t have time to be still. If I stop, I’ll lose momentum. I’ll get behind. Silly me. It’s not about physically being still (though sometimes that is a great idea, and can definitely get me back on track.) It’s about being still in my spirit. It’s about waiting on God. It’s about being content in my soul, and opening myself up to hear His still small voice. It’s about not cramming my schedule with so many obligations or social plans that I lose sight of what’s important. It’s never about seeking satisfaction on this Earth, because I’ll be let down every time. It’s about being intentional. I’m not sure immediacy and intentionality are friends. In fact, I think they may be mortal enemies. I need to learn how to be intentional with my time, my money, and all other decisions I face in life.
Am I saying Amazon Prime is of the devil? No...you bet I’ll be keeping my subscription. But I think this desire for quick satisfaction is definitely a device Satan uses to distract us from true, soul-filling satisfaction that is only available through Christ. So I’m challenging myself to strive for intentionality and kick immediacy to the curb.
I’ll probably still end up getting the headphones in my cart. And I think that’s ok, but I think it’s important to take a moment and analyze my choices, so as to not abandon intentionality. And I think because of this, it’ll be much sweeter once I have them in hand.