For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. Psalm 2:1 (ESV)
Our world today is hectic and we are encouraged to keep up the pace with many activities. There is an underlying assumption that busy is better than inactivity, and that we should strive to be as active as possible for as long as we are able. This is well and good; as long as we recognise that pause is also essential for our lives. In every part of our lives there is a need for balance. Yet the balance for our busy lives is not for us to become distracted observers or dreamless sleepers. We are encouraged to be fully attentive to what we are doing whilst active, therefore we are to be fully attentive in our time of stillness and quiet. When listening to people, the conversation often focuses upon what we are doing, people are always keen to speak about the many activities they participate in. Apparently, many people fear inactivity and boredom. The question, on the other hand, is not “What do you do to keep yourself busy?” but “What are the opportunities and places in your life for quiet reflection? When we choose to stop a moment and pause, our attention should be reflective about what is important to us, what do we desire from this moment. This is an opportunity for some deeper reflection. In pondering the things our souls long for, two things come to mind: silence and solitude.
The need for quiet space with God is something that everyone needs. Jesus set the prime example for this, as he often retreated to a solitary place to pray. Group prayer is important but is not a substitute for time alone with God. If Jesus, who was one with God, required this kind of sustenance, how much more do we.
May we take the opportunity to be still and wait for our God in silence and stillness. Today’s thoughts are a response to an article by Jean Andrianoff.
Rev Malcolm Rawlings – You are welcome to hear the rest of the message at our Worship this Sunday.