As I write this I’m still processing the life-impacting events of the last week. My firstborn, now a husband. The joy and fun of family and friends gathered together to celebrate. The work of multiple events three days in a row. The delight of rekindling friendships and investing in relationships. The reality of washing slow cookers, large drink coolers, and heaps of leftover laundry. Plus I’m headed out of town for two days for a conference, and trying to plan the arts camp. Isn’t life such a mix of thoughts, memories, hopes, plans, and impressions?? In the midst of all this, I came across a post that spoke to me. Perhaps, no matter your circumstances, it will speak to you, too. At any rate, may the Peace of the Lord be with each of us.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace
at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.
(2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV)
If you’ve ever taken an airplane flight you know that one of the safety announcements is that if you are traveling with a small child and the plane loses pressure, put your own oxygen mask on before helping a child. A few weeks ago one of my older, wiser women friends reminded me to make sure I put my spiritual “oxygen mask” on in the midst of the rest of life. It has been a good reminder. Maybe you are busy caring for or helping lots of other people. Sometimes it feels like you are low on your own spiritual oxygen – low on God’s strength to carry you, God’s Spirit to encourage you, God’s love and grace to enfold you. Maybe right now is a good moment to just stop, breathe, and listen for God’s Spirit.“
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
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 NIV)
Today, God, we stop.
We breathe.
We wait in stillness, in silence.
By your Spirit, meet us in our pain, struggles, and busy-ness. Replace our exhaustion, our emptiness, our spent-ness with your deep shalom and give us a renewed energy for your Kingdom. Amen.
(Adapted from a post originally published February 25, 2010)