Come, Sit, and Rest Awhile...

Sometimes I long for rest. 

We spend so much of our time “doing” but not much of our time “being”. 

Even as believers, we rush from one task to another, filling our day with productivity.

Doing things for the Lord, for the church, for others, our families, and ourselves.

But how often do we spend time just ‘being’? 

We pray, we talk to God, we even sing praises to him. 

We ask for things. We do all the talking. And then we move on with our day and our “to-do” lists. 

How often do we just sit still and listen?

Allow him to speak to us? To hear his still, small voice in the loudness of our day?

Spend time with our Father? Just “Be”?

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV

Take a moment with me today to practice an exercise. Relax; it will only take a few moments, and then you can move on with your day, I promise. 

Get comfortable. Sit down for a moment and close your eyes (Although then you can’t read the rest of this, so keep them open for now) as we invite God to be with us in this moment.

Imagine with me…

Imagine yourself in your favourite place…

Take a deep breath and just sit still for a moment. 

What makes this place special for you? 

How do you feel when you are in this place? 

Do you feel peaceful, happy, warm, welcome, and loved? 

Breathe in, breathe out, relax your shoulders.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

What do you see in this favourite place? 

Look around you, to the left, to the right, and even look up. 

What do you notice? Are there clouds, sunshine, and nature? 

What surrounds you? Is there furniture, people, or animals?

Notice the textures, the details, the shapes, and the colours

Take a deep breath in, breathe out, and relax your jaw. 

“Be still and know that I am.”

What do you smell? 

What scents are with you? Breathe deeply of the fragrance. Is it salty like the ocean, damp like the woods, full of flavour with cooking spices? Or is it the smell of flowers and grass after the rain?

Breathe in, breathe out, and taste the air around you. 

“Be still and know.” 

What sounds do you hear? Focus your ears on what surrounds you.

Is it the song of a bird, the lap of water, or the joy of children playing? 

Or is it the silence of the woods, the crackle of a fire, the quiet music playing nearby?

Breathe in, breathe out, and settle into your seat a little more. 

“Be still.” 

What can you feel? What can you sense on your skin, the temperature of your surroundings? 

Can you feel mist of rain or fog on your face, or a gentle breeze in your hair, the warmth of sunshine, or the tingle of frost on your fingers? 

Feel the pulse in your chest, the beat of your heart. 

Feel the rhythm of your breath as you breathe deeply of his peace. 

Embrace the calmness of this moment. 

Breathe in, breathe out. Relax in peace as you rest in this place. 

“Be.” 

Breathe in, breathe out. 

Just “be”. 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV

In our stillness, He will be exalted. 

Alleluiah. 

Thank you, Lord, that we can be still and know that you are God.

Amen.