Article by Kevin L. DeWitt

 

In our world today, we’re on the move all the time … one activity after another, always one more appointment to get to, one more errand to complete … and when we stop we’re exhausted mentally and physically.

 

Constant activity and movement are our default modes, if not with our bodies then at least with our minds, with our attention.  Even when we are sitting still, most of us we have the television on, or we’re on the computer checking email and Facebook, or we’re texting friends on our cell phones.  We are always on, always connected, always thinking, always talking.

 

There’s no time for stillness.

 

Even when we’re in line for something, or waiting at a dental appointment, or on a plane - we often get antsy, and search for something to do.  Some of us will have our mobile devices, others will have a notebook or folder with things to do or read … and still others will fidget.  

 

Being still isn’t something we’re used to.  And it comes at a cost: we lose time for contemplation, for observing and listening … and seeing God in the world around us.  We lose peace.

 

So trying being still.  Just for a moment.  Feel your breath coming in and going out.  Listen to your thoughts.  Listen to the world around you.  Listen to God.

 

We all know that - in our society - action is all-important.  Inaction is labeled as lazy and unproductive.  Yet too much action can worse than no action at all …

 

We can run all over town but not accomplish anything meaningful.  We complete everything on our “to do” list, ostensibly getting a lot done - but do we really? 

 

Take a moment to think about how you spend your days – at home, at work, after work, evenings and weekends.  Are you constantly rushing around?  Are you constantly reading and answering messages, checking on the news and the latest stream of information?  Are you always trying to check items off your “to do” list?

 

Is this how you want to spend your life?  If not, take a moment to be still.  Just be in the moment.

 

Then after a minute or two of doing that, contemplate your life, and how you’d like it to be.  Better still, take that moment and thank God for all the good I the world and for the blessings in your life.  Yes it’s difficult when you are worried about the economy, finding a job, and all the other stresses in our loves … but would you rather continue on the treadmill or appreciate the wonders in our world and the blessings that you have been given?

 

See your life with less movement, less doing, less rushing. See it with more stillness, more contemplation, more trust that what we need will be given to us … and more peace.

 

Sit still for a moment each day.  Try doing less each day.  Slow down.  Be present.  Find happiness now, in this moment, instead of waiting for “someday.”

 

  God is our refuge and strength, 
       an ever-present help in trouble.

  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way 
       and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

  though its waters roar and foam 
       and the mountains quake with their surging. 
       Selah

  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
       the holy place where the Most High dwells.

  God is within her, she will not fall; 
       God will help her at break of day.

  Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; 
       he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

  The LORD Almighty is with us; 
       the God of Jacob is our fortress. 
       Selah

  Come and see the works of the LORD, 
       the desolations he has brought on the earth.

  He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; 
       he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, 
       he burns the shields with fire.

  ”Be still, and know that I am God; 
       I will be exalted among the nations, 
       I will be exalted in the earth.”

  The LORD Almighty is with us; 
       the God of Jacob is our fortress. 
       Selah

-Psalm 46:1-11 (NIV)

 

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