Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:7
It’s easy to think the greatest danger in our lives is falling behind. But what if the biggest trap most of us fall into is constant, frenzied rushing?
What’s missing from our jam-packed lives is stillness. Today, silence and stillness are either foreign to us or the first things sacrificed when life gets busy. Stillness is the conduit that ushers us into God’s presence and allows His deep work in our lives to take root. One philosopher pointed out, “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day”.[1]
Scripture instructs us to “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7). In earlier centuries, men and women who had dedicated their lives to serving God developed the practice of “statio,” a Latin word for “station,” “position,” or “watch.” We can practice statio in our lives by taking pauses throughout the day to connect with God in stillness, “…an unhurried moment to appreciate God’s presence through silent prayer or meditation on Scripture.”[2]
We can practice stillness and waiting on God by scheduling and protecting a pause of stillness before God in the nooks and crannies of our days. Arrive early to meetings and take a moment. Walk slowly outside in nature. Schedule five minutes of stillness before you begin work. It could mean thanking God for His blessings, meditating on a Bible verse, surrendering burdens, or simply sitting quietly with Him, acknowledging His presence. Take a deep breath and make a moment of waiting into a moment spent with God, the quieter of our souls.
[1] Comer, John Mark. “Hurry: The Great Enemy of Spiritual Life.” The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Yates & Yates, 2019, p. 40.
[2] Gaultiere, Bill. “Statio: Pausing to Be Prayerful – Soul Shepherding.” Soul Shepherding – Following Jesus for Deeper Life and Greater Influence., 1 Nov. 2022, www.soulshepherding.org/statio-pausing-to-be-prayerful/#.
