Hibernation

It was still dark outside when I awoke to the gentle patter of rain against the window pane. The birds didn’t mind getting wet, because I heard our resident pigeons scratching and strutting upon the rooftop tiles.

As I lay in my cozy bed with the doona hugging every centimetre of my body, I was thankful to be still, to lie in.

Australia’s lockdown measures have done wonders in flattening the Covid-19 curve and reducing the number of related deaths.  Well done, Australia. Well done.

Our Prime Minister has rightly stated that, “We need to restart our economy. We need to restart our society.”

So now, the nationwide constraints on social interaction and business are easing.

“We can’t keep Australia under the doona.” Scott Morrison PM on April 1^st, 2020.

It must say something about my hectic lifestyle, because I have loved and embraced living under the doona.

Intentional hibernation has been bliss.

But, for some, day after day of no structure, no timetable, and no socializing is creating a suffocating cloud.

Perhaps you’ve gone stir crazy living like a hermit crab. And like this creature, you’re bursting to find a larger space to occupy.

You’re a bit thicker around the waist and thighs because all the gyms are shut, and you’ve been reaching for chips and packets of Tim Tams just for something to do.

Your mind is shriveling from the boredom.

Why not use this opportunity to harness all that wild energy into discovering some hidden talents or learn a new skill?

Instead of spending hours bingeing on streaming services, why not write your own screenplay?

Instead of sitting and consuming, why not activate your imagination and get creative?

Write that next best selling novel

Compose that iconic song

Make that ubiquitous Tik Tok

Paint, sculpt, and draw

Cook a magnificent feast for your family

Make a doll house

Sew a new outfit (or facial masks—they’re hard to find in the shops)

Learn how to pop pimples without leaving a scar

The things you can do are endless.

There’s a time to be still and quiet. There’s a time to discover and create.

In chasing an indoorsy type dream, you’ll have a purpose and a good reason to get up in the morning.

Even this blogsite was created as a result of long days spent in isolation.

God didn’t breathe life into our bodies for us to just laze about, get fat and do nothing.

We’ve been saved to serve.

Even walruses, which look like they just flop around in their mountains of blubber all day, still have to dive up to 90 metres under the sea to collect clams and sea cucumbers to eat. They might even prey on a seal that’s been trapped in the ice.

We were meant to be productive, creative and imaginative.

Adam had to name all the animals, till the soil, trim bushes, harvest fruit and vegetables and then still have time to keep the Missus happy.

King David was a hardened man of war, and yet the sensitive, emotional side of his personality shone through in his songs. The man was not only a brilliant military strategist, but he was also a poet. His Psalms are still recited and enjoyed by thousands to this day.

God gave us all gifts and talents to use for his glory.

Consider all the skilled artisans listed in Exodus 35:30-35.

They were people who could turn shapeless lumps of gold, silver and brass into beautiful items for the tabernacle of God.

Some were gifted in cutting precious stones and setting them. Others were naturals at carving wood, engraving, weaving, and embroidering.

“Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work” Ex 35:35a

It’s a slap in the face to our loving creator to squander his blessings.

He has given us talents.

Isn’t it time to discover yours?