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BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY BLOG@ Rhythms of Grace: a Journey into RestSustenance for the journey into rest and peace
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MINI-SERIES: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS  It's another still November day, the land broods in the sea-mist, and the trees stand motionless in the damp morning air. Creation is entering its rest period, and challenges us to follow suit. The dark season brings natural quietness with it, and we can either embrace, or resist it. Let’s choose to live in harmony with it and take time to allow the winter silence to permeate our souls, and listen to what someone has beautifully described as ‘the divine breathings’. Quietness doesn’t always come easily, though. In much of the modern world we live with constant noise: the roar of traffic, the whirr of household machinery, the latest music in our ears, the background sound of the tv, workplace chatter—in fact we have become so used to this wall of noise that many can’t concentrate in silence—and actually fear it. But if we want to hear the ‘still, small voice’ of God [1 Kings 19:11-13], we may need to take deliberate steps to relearn the skill of embracing the quiet in order to listen. The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. [1 Kings 19:11-13] Noise doesn't have to be external, we can carry a lot of internal clamour around with us. I'm aware, for example, how often my mind is in over-drive, filled with 'chatter' or just preoccupied. We know the importance of renewing our minds so that our thinking is aligned with God. (See New Mindsets.) But another aspect of renewing the mind is keeping it quiet. How often do we do one thing while thinking about another? How much time do we spend mentally gnawing on plans, problems, anxieties and fears? And what about finding comfort through the unhealthy use of our imaginations? Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will. [Romans 12:2] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. [2 Corinthians 10:5] DEVELOPING A QUIET MIND It’s a hot topic these days. Websites, books and magazine articles, dealing with a ‘quiet mind’ or ‘mindfulness’ have popped up in profusion, and ideas rooted in Buddhism have become mainstream. While they may contain some helpful recommendations, these writings are incomplete without an understanding of redeemed man in relation to God. As Christians, we need to be looking at the 'Manufacturer’s Instruction Manual' for our answers. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. [Isaiah 26:3 NKJV] The Hebrew word for ‘stayed’, (camak) means ‘to place or lay something upon anything, so that it may rest upon or be supported by it’. And the word for ‘trust’, (batach) means ‘to set one’s hope and confidence in anyone.’ [Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon] Living with a quiet mind is, first of all, living with a constant awareness of the Lord's presence and strength; and it's making the choice in the everyday circumstances of life to set our hope and confidence in Him, rather than trying to work everything out for ourselves. It's summed up beautifully in this verse: Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders. [Deuteronomy 33:12] Creating oases of quiet, and choosing to turn our thoughts to the Lord, and away from our preoccupations, in the midst of daily life, is a challenge; but it’s a habit worth our perseverance—and a habit which will let light into our darkness. Let's take a tip from creation—and let every part of us enter His rest. THIS WEEK’S GRACE RHYTHM
NEXT WEEK: NEW SERIES: DREAMING OF A PERFECT CHRISTMAS? GET IN TOUCH!
[Photo credits: James Lee (birds) @ Unsplash, with thanks]
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