Jesus knows what we need to sustain the pace of life. He says, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” Mark 6:31 NASB
“In the relentless busyness of modern life, we have lost the rhythm between work and rest,” writes Wayne Muller in his pearl of a book Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives.
The practice of this ancient pathway will help you slow down, become unhurried, and as a result, you will grow closer to God and others.
I know, you’re probably thinking, “Silence and solitude? You’ve got to be kidding!! I hardly have time to pull together the paperwork for my tax returns!”
OK, I get it — so approach this path in micro-moments. It is a state of mind, not a place.
Take a breath. One or two deep inhales and exhales.
Take a break. Walk across the room, around the house waving your arms, or around the block.
Take a moment. Restart your phone then ask God to bring to mind two things to be grateful for.
Take a look. The sky, your spouse or child, a great memory…focus for a few.
Take it further. “Sabbath can only begin if we close the factory, turn out the lights, turn off the computer, and withdraw from the concerns of the marketplace. Choose one heavily used appliance or device – and let it rest for a morning, afternoon, or entire day, surrender to a quality of time when you will not be disturbed, seduced, or responsive to what our technologies have to offer. — Wane Muller, Sabbath, page 28
“The discipline of solitude is creating time alone and in silence, where it’s just God and you. We must get away from people so we can be truly present with them.” –Bud Lamb, Chasing the Sage, page 149
“Without silence, there is no solitude. Though silence sometimes involves the absence of speech, it always involves the act of listening. Simply to refrain from talking, without a heart of listening to God, is not silence.” — Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, page 98
——————————————
Pray
I will take that breath, God. It’s a micro-step in the right direction. We both know I can’t sustain this pace, so thank You for this tiny pathway to peace. Amen
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.