Have you ever noticed how much our lives resemble a freeway? Once we are on it, we are in constant motion. We must remain alert at all times. We speed up, slow down, and switch lanes. We set our eyes straight ahead, look back from time to time, check our side and rear mirrors periodically, do not make any unexpected turns, and get there before the cars all around us. We cannot brake too soon, accelerate too heavily, or cruise too long. We must always be aware of what is going on around us, lest we miss a sign or clue that could have prevented a fatal accident. It is as though we are competing in a race of some kind. One false move and the whole freeway is stopped or slowed down for hours.
This is life. Yet, it is necessary at times that we exit the freeway of life. This is difficult to do since there are so many demands made upon us. And they are relentless demands.
During the last three years of His life, Jesus was also on a freeway. He was so busy at times that He did not take time to eat. Regularly, however, He retired to quiet spots and prayed to His Father. As we travel the freeway of life, we must realize the importance of exiting on occasion and taking time for refreshing.
One of the most important aspects of the spiritual life is the pauses of rest, silences of grace. It is the time we take to open ourselves to receiving divine peace.
What can inspire more tranquility of mind and soul than the realization that peace and self-fulfillment is not dependent on anything external. Nothing in the outer world can produce the peace and happiness that surpasses all human understanding. It is a peace undisturbed by surrounding events and cannot be intruded upon by the fiercest winds of adversity. God's peace has no relationship to the state of our affairs.
The joy in living emanates from the spiritual realities within that flow incessantly through our being like some remarkable elixir. The silent purling waters that flow through us from the Fountain of living waters calms the turbulent spirit and gives quiet to the restless mind.
The peace that flows from God not only transforms us from within but reforms our outer life. He gives us silence and contentment in our minds, regardless of what exists in our outer world. The hustle and bustle of the day drift away as a tender leaf caught in the throes of the wind. The rat race without becomes as distant as the planets and as meaningless as chasing after the wind. Our souls dwell at ease. No outer disturbance can ruffle the "still waters" within.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available soon.
bathroom cleaning service Northbrook .."If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself... Read More
When I first heard Donnie McClurkin's song, "We Fall Down... Read More
In the early 90's I had a spontaneous Kundalini Awakening... Read More
Are you always looking for bargains, especially something that you... Read More
As I sat down today to write this article, I... Read More
The chakras are different coloured energy centres that originate from... Read More
Acknowledgement of our need of God and reliance upon Him... Read More
A Nathan type prophet sees with his eyes. A Samuel... Read More
I very often see rants, complaints, wishes and dreams that... Read More
Greetings my Dear Beloved SoulsWe have heard your cries, your... Read More
What is a Christian? According to The American Heritage? Dictionary... Read More
Today is the day that I'm getting back into exercise.... Read More
Why do we have an Ego?Almost all spiritual guides say... Read More
In my life, I have tried... Read More
IS FAITH - NOT VITAMIN C WHAT'S MISSING FROM YOUR... Read More
Some people think just by saying the words thank you... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
We all hear of the concept of the "Enlightened Master",... Read More
I have held numerous teleconference workshops where I help individuals... Read More
I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind... Read More
We all have spirit guides and we all benefit from... Read More
Actually I have 'helped' exorcize spirits more than once but... Read More
In this article, I would like deal with one specific... Read More
We are all here on this plane, thinking to ourselves... Read More
For many years of my life, I thought the spiritual... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..Judgement; What does this mean? The encyclopedia definition is, "The... Read More
As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More
Behold, a certain young maiden did often times and at... Read More
If I speak in the tongues of men and of... Read More
What really binds us to any negative emotional state in... Read More
As communion was being passed this morning, I listened to... Read More
Many may wonder what is God's will, or how do... Read More
The spiritually dead church. Now, I am not talking about... Read More
Job was a spiritual man who loved and obeyed God... Read More
His name sounds as Finn. He has beautiful blue eyes... Read More
There is a specific technique that a Shaman uses to... Read More
Of the many individuals who were touched through the ministry... Read More
It's strange how my life today looks wildly different from... Read More
Do you ever have one of those days when you... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that... Read More
Now, I will recount in full what happened to me... Read More
The contrast between the two men could not have been... Read More
New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More
Continued from "Origin of Certain Thoughts, Part I"If you haven't... Read More
What is the true nature of any illness? Research in... Read More
Tony was a professinoal salt-water fisherman. He explained how he... Read More
Hopefully you're reading this article because you're intrigued by the... Read More
When the body of Christ isn't protected we become vulnerable... Read More
There is a natural tendency to asociate spirituality with religion,... Read More
Spirituality |