Simply abide

In a world that’s shaken by terrorists & when the daily news is almost too painful to watch, when hurricanes are storming across the planet,it’s all too easy to feel anxious & insecure.
But even in tumultuous times & uncertain days we can have inner peace:
‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”’
(Psalm 91:1-2 ESV)

Jesus said,”As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
(John 15:9 ESV)

Though we live in this broken,messy world we can choose to abide in the love of God & dwell in His presence. We can experience His peace.

I’ve been reading Simply Tuesday by Emily P Freeman ‘Small- moment living in a fast-moving world’ Emily tells the story of how her family & another neighbour bought matching benches & place them in their cul-de- sac. The benches provided space for them to connect on an ordinary day( like Tuesday- arguably the most ordinary day of the week!)

Emily looked out on the benches from her kitchen window & pondered ‘How can I sit down on the inside?’

When we feel overwhelmed we too need to pause ‘on the inside’ & allow your soul to breathe. We need to find a metaphorical bench to sit down ‘inside’ if we can’t locate a real one.

When life feels busiest , we often need to stop & simply draw aside and sit on the bench with our Heavenly Father who knows what we really need. And sometimes our deepest need is simply to be still, and find rest in Him alone.

Consider the Hebrew word ‘Selah’ in the Psalms. It’s more than a musical term. The Amplified Bible adds ‘pause and calmly think about that’ to each verse where ‘selah’ appears. Perhaps we need to place a bench in our day- where we pause, think & praise. We need to punctuate our life with interludes- quiet moments with God.
‘Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.’
(Psalm 46:8-10 MSG)

If we sit on the bench for long enough we may be ‘able to see the handwriting of a holy God where another person just sees the same old tired streets & sidewalks’ (Shauna Niequist)

When we’re sitting on the bench:
We’ll not just watch the world go by-we’ll pray to the One who made it.
We might count the stars- & praise the One who made them.
We’ll count our blessings- & thank the Giver
We’ll communicate with the One who can solve our problems- & trade worry for calm.
We’ll connect with our True Friend:

‘He is our eternal Friend- continually, under all circumstances, & constantly ready to prove Himself as our Friend (George Mueller)

Jesus said, “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
(Matthew 11:30 MSG)

Even in days like today?
Yes- even today. For Jesus also said,
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 NLT)

So,’Sit on a bench, count the stars & let your soul breathe’ (Emily P Freeman)

Blessings,

Ruthx

Updated & edited from original post @ http://www.blessedme.com