So, there is this platform out in the interwebs called Substack. Have you heard of it?
I downloaded it last year and it is a GREAT way to organize the content of writers and thinkers I enjoy. Some have left their blogs entirely and are only on Substack. Some treat it like an email newsletter situation.
I didn’t think I’d ever create content there because I love the simplicity of what I have going — blog posts, occasional emails, podcast, graphic design. But, alas, my creative-listening-to-the-Lord bug hit.
Introducing…. my first essay on Substack.
If it interests you and you want to follow my writing over there, I’d be delighted! There’s a great app but once you subscribe to my Substack new essays will automatically go to your email, which makes it easy.
A section from my first post illuminates my vision for this new space.
Adding Substack to my list of creative outlets called for something new.
One of my favorite questions is from Wendell Berry, “It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”
Years ago, I realized how cluttered, exhausted and miserable my soul was. The invitation from God? Simplify. Burn the legalistic list of expectations and rules of being good enough and useful to God. Make your priority His presence. Not feeling it but steadily, if not always, reorienting yourself to that true reality.
I accepted that invitation and it changed me. It still changes me.
Okay, Chelsea, that’s wonderful, but what does that actually look like?
Giving attention.
Learning the habit of giving attention…
to myself (showing up to God as I am, not what I’d rather hide or where I’d rather be)
to others (what does this person actually need? where can I make space for them?)
to Jesus (who is He to me in this moment? what is true of Him and me, right now?)
So, Wendell Berry. What are we busy about?
I want to be busy about giving attention to what matters most.
And I’ve love to explore it in this space.
Eeeeek, new thing! Here we go.
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