Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
There is a tiny space between Christmas and New Year’s—it’s just about one week long—and it seems to be claimed by no other special activity or pressing responsibility. Advent and preparation for the Lord’s coming takes us right up to Christmas, while the hustle and bustle that’s part of our traditional celebrations have consumed those weeks after Thanksgiving. And here we are at that quiet time after Christmas just before we launch headlong, full speed into the New Year.
What a good time to slow down, to process, to be still and know… Could we set aside our personal agendas just for this week to listen? Are we able to stop long enough to worship? Can we quiet our passions to spend several days resting in him?
The story is told of an early explorer who was trekking across the jungles of interior Africa. He had been advised that his porters could travel only a certain distance each day, but he was determined to make better time. Day by day he pushed his men until one day he arose to find that no one would move from his tent. No bit of cajoling or threatening would budge his team. Finally, sensing the man’s frustration, one of the porters admitted that they had traveled so quickly, they had left their souls behind and were waiting for them to catch up.
We’ve been given the gift of this one week to be still, to let our souls catch up. This is a week to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, to bask in his love, and to nourish that relationship with him. Can we slow down enough—just for a week—to know that he’s God (and we’re not)?
Father, “the world is too much with us.” The holidays are crammed with activities and distractions—so much for holy days. Thank you for this brief, quiet time to reorder ourselves and our priorities. To be. Our eyes are on you. AMEN.
agodforeveryday 