In the Rural Ministries’ reflection last week, Simon spoke of God’s invitation at the commencement of a new year, to be still……to “be still and know that I am God”
Never has there been a more crucial time to do this. At this time of year the world rushes around, seeking to hit the ground running after the Christmas break. The Church it seems, follows suit. Thoughts turn to new things, new seasons, new teaching series, new anything.
If you live in a rural setting (which I’m guessing you might do), you will live in close proximity to the natural environment, bearing witness to the changes through the seasons. You may have noticed that Creation in Northern Europe at this time cares little about your new year or your plans, your ideas for a fresh start or for new things to manifest in your life. Instead, it continues to rest, held in deep sleep, confident in the process. Nature around us remains still, affording itself more than your one week annual leave to celebrate Jesus and over-eat. Nature is still readying itself for the slow release into spring and the subsequent abundance of summer that is to follow.
Being still is a spiritual practice that requires intentionality.
As part of my training to become a Spiritual Director, I am being led through the 18th Annotation of Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises. This is a brief version of the full Exercises. Held within the reflections this week was this poignant question that I find myself lingering over: Am I able to be still and listen to God, in scriptures and in the deepest desires of my heart?
In my home and work life, I am currently in the process of making some rather monumental decisions. There are crucial consequences to the decisions I’m presented with. It is of course, the path of every follower of Jesus to walk in close step with the Holy Spirit, to feel comforted and to be guided by the Spirit’s presence. A quick scan through the biblical narrative confirms what we should experiencing:
Psalm 139 tells us that we can’t flee from the Spirit of God, even if we try; that the hand of God will guide us always.
Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25 encourages, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
In John 16:13 Jesus makes this promise to his friends, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.”
These are but a few. The entire Bible is full of stories about how God calls his people to listen to his voice and to follow the Spirit. And this is not a book of exceptions. This is how people once lived (and wrestled) with God, to believe that it is no longer available to modern followers, well that simply wouldn’t be helpful at all.
If we run at the pace of the world, submit to its rules and expectations, then we will have a hard time discerning the voice of God. It’s nearly impossible to maintain intimacy with God if we’re constantly surrounded by noise, busyness and pressure.
We read that Jesus often retreated to quiet places to pray. My encouragement is that we all find time to do this at the beginning of this year. Yes, there is much to do in our churches, communities and out in the hurting world around us. Jesus often left the crowd to be alone or just with his close disciples. There was much need in the individual lives of the crowd, many people to heal, many important things to teach about the Kingdom of God. Yet he often simply walked away to be with his Father and/or his friends.
How are you finding balance this new year? Are you following God’s (and Simon’s) invitation to be still? Following nature’s invitation to a season of wintering?
This coming twelve months will no doubt hold within it victories and defeats, laughter and tears, joy and hurt, open doors and closed doors, invitations onto new paths and also encouragement to lay things down and let go. Perhaps a regular practice of stillness and resting in God will enable those paths and all the challenges they have in wait for us, to unfold with minimal disruption to our inner peace and deep union with God. Perhaps retreating to a quiet place like Jesus, to listen to the still small whispers of divine love, affection, presence and guidance will be the very antidote we need for a hurried and dissatisfied world that constantly cries out for more.
Prompt: If your heart is stirred and yet you don’t know where to start, here’s a simple prompt to begin.
Find a space where you experience rest. This could be your favourite armchair, on the beach, on a hillside bench, in your garden. Then sit quietly for a short minute, find natural rhythm and regularity in your breathing.
One of the only times in scripture we read of the audible voice of God, pouring out love on Jesus is at the Jordan. Jesus hears the words, “this is my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.”
The simple truth is, our own hearts long to hear this too, long to hear that we are the beloved. The good news, my friends, is that we are just that.
Pray this breath prayer from Song of Songs 2:16:
(Breathe in) ‘My beloved is mine…..
(Breathe out) ‘…..and I am his.’
Slowly repeat this prayer. When thoughts arrive to cloud your mind, let them gently pass like broken twigs in the flow of a river.
Linger in this truth.
Shalom.
Jon Timms
Director, Scotland and Northern England
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