Seems life has begun to pick up pace, even as we have been sequestered to our homes for a full year now. We seem to have learned to move quickly while in place.
Behind computer screens, with zoom calls, Netflix and the abundance of social media, not to mention winter in my part of the world, our bodies have stopped moving while our minds have picked up pace.
Slowness is further lost.
Slowing down our bodies and racing our minds is leading us to deeper isolation, anxiety and depression.
What if we began to slow our minds? What if we took Jesus at His Word. Be still and know I am God.
When was the last time you felt you even had time to ponder this truth? Eyes closed. Body paused. Phone silent.
Taking time to commune with God, really pay attention to Him in our daily life, takes a stillness of mind that I often lack the discipline to find.
I sat in the cold garden this weekend. The onions and garlic just beginning to stir under the soil. Nothing else is yet planted, as the threat of freeze remains in my area. The stillness struck me though. The soil is just still. No leaves yet to catch the breeze, no tomatoes to pluck in their juicy redness. Just stillness.
Again Psalm 46:10 rolled through my thoughts, Be still and know that I am God.
Before the fruit grows, before the leaves break through, before the warmth even blows across this soil, stillness is required. There is nothing there to do but let the soil sit, waiting, healing from the previous season.
As it is with our own hearts, we have been through so much. Our minds are racing, grieving, anxious. What if rather than running to the numbing agents of computer screens, food, wine, what if we spent time just being still. Quieting our minds by His Word. Absorbing the light of the Son before we rush into expectations and busyness.
The slowness is productive. In the slowness we find Him. In Him we bear much fruit.
For me today, it will be intentional time without my phone. Taking deep breaths in moments of anxiety and closing my eyes to listen for His whisper.
How will you pause today to find the rhythm of slowness that leads to Him?
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Dear Mariel, I’ve recently developed a longing and pleasure in the stillness that I haven’t experienced before. It’s taken some time, but thankfully it has begun to seep into my spirit. Your remark about our bodies slowing down while our minds continue to race this past year is so insightful. Blessings and thanks for sharing a good word today!
So grateful to have encouraged you today ❤
I loved this: “Before the fruit grows, before the leaves break through, before the warmth even blows across this soil, stillness is required.”
Today, I will turn my face to the sun and feel the warmth for a few minutes when I head outside.
Amen, me too❤
mmm … the plant looks deserted and dormant, but inside, the roots are soaking up all the good stuff needed to burst into full bloom in its proper time.
i’m so grateful …
Yes, amen❤
Sometimes it is difficult for me to slow down long enough to be still. It’s definitely a spiritual discipline that I need to spend more time cultivating.
it does take time to cultivate this, i am learning too. thank you for reading.
Mariel, this is such a wonderful post to reflect on today. This > “Before the fruit grows, before the leaves break through, before the warmth even blows across this soil, stillness is required. ” So very true! Stillness is still an action and one that is required in the process of bearing fruit. I cherish the early morning hours of quiet and stillness as they feed my soul for the day ahead.
Yes the action of stillness matters ❤ thanks for reading, friend.
Mariel, you are so relevant! This is the thirrd post I’ve read in two days talking about practicing stillness and slow growth. Is God trying to tell me something? 🙂
Like the others, I loved your thought: “Before the fruit grows, before the leaves break through, before the warmth even blows across this soil, stillness is required.” We all want to be fruitful but maybe we didn’t realize stillness is required.
Also I loved how you told us to practice stillness: “Eyes closed. Body paused. Phone silent.”
Amen (So be it.)
Thank you. So glad the Lord is using these words to encourage you..
Love how you put this: “We all want to be fruitful but maybe we didn’t realize stillness is required.”❤
Beautiful. I’ve always been a slow person. I’ve been ok with that. Your reflection reminds me of the value in slowness and stillness.
❤