Tuning out the Clamoring Noises

The greatest challenge in life is to be our own person and accept that being different is a blessing and not a curse. A person who knows who they are lives a simple life by eliminating from their orbit anything that does not align with his or her overriding purpose and values. A person must be selective with their time and energy because both elements of life are limited.”

― Kilroy J. Oldster

"In hurrying for more happiness, you can hurry right past it." 

~ Ann Voskamp

Rushing from one thing to the next - the next event, the next paper to write, the next project to do. It seems that often my life is one giant to-do list and while productivity is a good thing, I often forget to stop and smell the roses and enjoy life.

Lately I've been trying to slow down a bit and just take a few extra moments and enjoy things around me. The beauty of the autumn leaves. The scent of baking bread. The prettiness is jars of homemade goodness. The sound of crashing waves. I've worked on just taking some time to be still and live in the moment I'm in before rushing off to the next thing.

Psalm 46 says,

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
  the God of Jacob is our fortress

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

As I read this Psalm, certain words jumped out at me - trouble, earth giving way, mountains fall, waters fall and surge, mountains quake, nations in uproar, kingdoms fall, earth melts, desolations, wars, bow and spear, and shields.

In the middle of all these loud and attention getting noises and activities He says, "Be still and know that I am God." There will always be things that grab our attention. There are always activities, busy work, events, and troubles to pull us away from the key thing found here. Be still. Rest assured in the knowledge that He is God. He has it under control. He is to be worshiped and exalted. 

Slow down. Listen carefully. Commune with God. Understand who He is and spend time in worship.

The to-do list will always be there and no matter how many things you check off, something else will take it's place. So live in the moment, simplify and appreciate life. Tune out the raucous and clamoring voices and listen to the still small voice of God. 

Breathe in, breathe out. The Lord Almighty is with you.