The Silent Moments
I haven't posted in quite a while. There are a lot of excuses I could give for this:
“I've been busy with my fundraising.”
“I was wiped out after finals week.”
“It was the holidays and everything was crazy busy.”
“I was travelling.”
“When have I had time?”
But, while all of these things are true, it wouldn't be honest to say that this is why. In all truthfulness, I've started post after post, but haven't yet finished any of them because my heart wasn't quite in them. My inspiration wasn't there. So that leaves us questioning, what do we do in those moments of silence?
It's not an abnormal experience for Christians. That feeling of monotony where life is dull and repetitive and it feels like you're just going through the motions. Even the most dedicated and devoted Christians have “dry spells” in their walks with Christ. They can be caused by all kinds of different things: busyness, falling out of practice with your daily prayer, Bible reading, and worship sessions, mental illness, a sudden change, something terrible happens in our lives or in the world around us, or any number of distractions life could throw at us. But God doesn't give up on us and He doesn't leave us unprepared for these moments.
Something I've come to love about these dry, dreary moments is that God always brings rain in the desert. There are so many places in the Bible where we are commanded to “be still” and “meditate” on God and His word. Flip through any of the Psalms (especially the 119th Psalm) and you will find that meditation is found throughout the Bible. Meditating on God's commands, meditating on His works, meditating on His character. This is an amazing way to get to know Him deeper. Meditation has become associated with spooky, New Age-y religion things to many modern Christians, but what does meditation actually mean? Dictionary.com says meditation is “the act of meditating/continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation/transcendental meditation/devout religious contemplation or spiritual introspection”. Meditation from a Christian perspective can be a time to think on God's goodness and creation, the things He's said in His word, and to listen for His voice.
I've recently started doing yoga, which, of course, includes meditation and therefore is often lumped into the spooky, New Age, devil-box many Christians have in their minds. This box is a good thing to have, don't get me wrong, but we have to be careful that we don't lump in things that are, in themselves, not inherently evil. God can use anything, and for me, God has been using this. For you, it could be going for a hike, painting, another form of exercise than yoga, or any other passion you find. A good friend of mine finds God in her dojo. Others I know
It's been short and sweet, but I think I've said all that really needs to be said. There's a list of verses below that don't even begin to scratch the surface.
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations and I will be exalted throughout the Earth.”
Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 119:15
I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.
Psalm 119:27
Cause me to understand the way of Your precepts, that I may meditate on Your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 145:5
They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty - and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.
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