I’ve just spent an evening with 50 ladies who sat in the quiet stillness of God’s presence for thirty minutes…the same time it takes to watch your favorite news broadcast, or cook up some fish and veggies, or jog a couple miles.
What if you spent thirty minutes alone with God? What might happen? At our recent “Taste of Stillness” event, we gathered to discover some insights about contentment, and then we separated and sat in silence before God. Alone, we talked to God. And He talked to us.
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Here are some results from that private and vulnerable dialogue:
“I had a wonderful time talking to God and sorting through thoughts about life. Very relaxing and refreshing.”
”I have been struggling with bad anxiety and have been avoiding God because of it. Getting to sit in silence with God was the first time I have felt peace in a long time.”
“Amazing experience! Home is always loud and busy. Tonight God’s voice was LOUD amidst the silence. I haven’t had quiet moments like this in such a long time.”
In Adele Ahlberg Calhoun’s book, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, she devotes one chapter to “Rest,” and writes: “There is enough time in each day for all that God requires of us.”
You might be thinking, “Adele doesn’t know my life!”
It’s true. She doesn’t. But God does, and He called 24 hours good.
“Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night.’
GENESIS 1:3
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How often have you said, or perhaps heard others say, “ I can’t possibly get everything done today that I need to do!” It might be followed by a sigh of exasperation. Sometimes it comes with a little begging for understanding that your life is so busy because you are, honestly, just that important.
But may I gently nudge that it also comes with a hidden lie that God, who holds the stars in place and made your fingers and toes, shorted you when He handed out only 24 hours for your day.
Like you, I know BUSY. Some seasons more than others. I remember years of raising children, finding moments with my husband, working full time, maintaining friendships, serving in the church… all while trying to remember to brush my teeth and clean out the fridge.
Sometimes I made time to also be alone with the One who gave me strength and courage and peace and hope. And sometimes I didn’t.
So my question comes to you with humility:
What could you delete so you can insert: “Time with God”?
Could it be that God knew just what He was doing when He designed one day to be 24 hours long?
And could it be that God had you in mind when He said, “Be still and know that I am God”?
Pull up a chair and sit still
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Do you need an idea for your meditation in those quiet moments you found? How about this:
“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me – my whole life one long, obedient response.”
PSALM 119:33
Dialogue with God about:
some lessons you’ve learned from your past
how they might keep you on course
what insights you need in order to follow Him today
I’ll be praying that you find quiet moments -- daily or weekly -- to be still and receive God’s boundless love for you. He’ll be waiting.