I am frequently accused (usually lovingly) of not being able to relax, to slow down, to just do nothing. And, I will admit that I can struggle with this. I like being productive, active, and busy. When I'm honest, I have to face the fact that sometimes this is my mechanism to avoid being alone with my thoughts. But, I think my personal time is just a little different than many other people's. Often, my alone time is not alone and my time being still isn't actually still. For example, I consider my commute to be alone time, even though I'm surrounded by "the masses" on trains and buses.
There is a verse (in Psalms?) that says, "Be still and know that I am God." This is a verse and a concept that I've thought about a lot. And, though, I understand that I do need to have a discipline of solitude and silence and stillness in my life (I'll blog about the great book that's from some other time), I can't help, but think that sometimes I am still without actually being physically still. I think the perfect example of this is my time in the swimming pool. I am alone. Sure there are other people swimming, but there is no interaction. I can't hear them. All I hear is the awesome, rhythmic sounds of the water and the thoughts inside my head. It is so repetitive that I find it to be almost therapeutic. And, once I hit my stride, I can just let my thoughts wander and pray and, well, "be still". In those times, I sense the power and wonder of our God. And, so I suggest, that even when I'm cutting through the water at blindingly fast speeds (what!? you've never seen me swim.... shush, Amy), I am, from time to time, still before my God.
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