The traffic bustles on, the sounds abound of car engines, of squeaky brakes and of horns honking as fruition rises. The shop is bustling, people rushing around to grab the best deal, conversations between couples shopping about what their bellies want to consume that night for dinner, children asking for that sweet and that toy. You sit on the couch, the TV adverts interrupting your show, the screen on your phone lights up with notification after notification, the sounds of the neighbours as they go about their lives on the other side of the wall.
Our world is one of busyness. Never a dull moment, and arguably never a peaceful moment.
We’re so used to the hustle and bustle that we don’t even notice it anymore. Our minds are constantly being pulled in different directions. Our eyes are being drawn to shifting colours and images all around. Our ears are always on alert for the next sound or word that begs for our attention.
Whilst we’re so used to the hustle and bustle we long for peace and silence. We’re surrounded by busyness but we’re also more stressed than ever before. We’re surrounded by movement and we long for stillness. We’re surrounded by stuff and sometimes we want nothing.
We may not be able to change the hustle and bustle that goes on beyond our four walls or beyond our minds, but we can do something about our own. An evening without TV, a day with our phones, a walk in the park or the field, 10 minutes on the couch simply doing nothing.
Small practices make big changes. We were created to work, and work equals busy, but we were also created to rest. However, even our rest today seems to be filled with activities rather than rest.
Resolve to make one small adjustment to practice silence and rest. I’m the quietness you may appreciate more what the Lord has gifted you. In the silence you may appreciate more what the Lord has done for you. In the stillness you may begin to dwell undistracted in the presence of the Lord and enjoy more of His peace.
Sometimes the best thing we can say for ourselves and for our own sanity and spiritual well-being in a busy world is “quiet please”
Chalmers' Blog 