Becoming Still

The Scripture says, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). What happens when I pause to attend to God, to listen, to simply be still before God? What if I did not control my conversation with God with a multitude of words (however meaningful and important)? When the inevitable onslaught of distractions comes, what if I relinquished each one, turning my attention back to God, again and again? 

Peter Scazzero's 40 day devotional, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day, provides two devotions each day that include a short Scripture and reading, a reflective question, and a prayer. But in our day of distraction, perhaps the most transformational element is the beginning and closing two minutes of silence. Silence to attend to God.

If God is inviting me into silence how do I even begin... even if it is only two minutes at a time? I am not an expert on being still, but here are some guidelines that have been helpful to me.

1 - Prayer Word - Choosing a prayer word(or phrase) historically provides an anchor There are many favorites - the name of Jesus, Abba, come Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus have mercy on me, etc. A few years ago I settled on "Just You." For me, that phrase represented the invitation to anchor in God above all else. As I enter the stillness and distraction comes (i.e.  I need to stop at the grocery store on the way home. Did I take the laundry out of the dryer? I am really worried about my friend, etc), I repeat the prayer word, and I bring my attention back to God.

Invitation to Stillness

2 - A Thousand Surrenders - A story was told in spiritual direction training for which I no longer remember the details. This is what I remember: a woman, perhaps a nun, was at a retreat and was seeking to practice stillness and silence. The distractions in her head were relentless, and she was growing discouraged. The leader invited her to see each "letting go" of a distraction as a surrender. Each surrender matters. 

3 - Non-judgment and release - What is important in the practice of silence is to continue to bring my attention back to God. If I fixate on the distraction or judge my distraction as failure I tend to give energy to the distraction. In contrast it is more beneficial to notice the interfering distraction, release it, and then bring my attention back to God and to a place of stillness. 

4 - Practice - We increase our capacity and attention as we practice and train our minds to slow down. A busy, driven culture, multiple technological devices, and immediate access to worldwide information brings chaos near to our minds and hearts. Setting our intention and making a choice to value silence and stillness will make a difference.

5 - Let the Spirit be your teacher - We are not alone. If you have sensed God inviting you to greater stillness and silence, trust that the Spirit of God will teach, empower, and equip you. Ask God for help.

Invitation to Stillness

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