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.
car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThere was a time in my life when I seriously... Read More
A lot of times when I am reading people on... Read More
I have discovered as I grow older in Christ Jesus... Read More
There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve ourselves either outwardly... Read More
By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
After more than three decades of church ministry, I have... Read More
"Our mind is capable of passing beyond the dividing line... Read More
In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More
A magnificent source of life insurance and it's FREE. You... Read More
Limiting beliefs, just like positive, empowering thoughts, provide a foundation... Read More
In this series I would like to take you through... Read More
I have been reading a lot lately about the concepts... Read More
I believe in the source we refer to as 'God'.... Read More
Attract and hold your family at home with some unique... Read More
A new chapter in my life begins today, the anniversary... Read More
The Mind in an Advanced Thought System:The center of our... Read More
What type of person grabs your attention and motivates you?... Read More
In His graciousness, God has blessed us to enter a... Read More
Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More
Among some of us who deem ourselves spiritual, the use... Read More
I have been thinking about this all night. I am... Read More
If you've been on a conscious spiritual journey for any... Read More
Our church is infested with lobby lizards. They crawl around... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..One important factor in how we go through life is... Read More
What power do we hold individually in the midst of... Read More
In earlier articles entitled "We Are Not Our Personalities", "Eliminating... Read More
I can see the cops coming! They're a good thousand... Read More
In the responsibility we have as Christians, we are displayed... Read More
Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints... Read More
There is a concept in Jewish mystical thought known as... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
Kundalini Awakening - the sure shot method for awakening of... Read More
The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More
For we do not have a high priest who is... Read More
In the movie "A Beautiful Mind" John Nash (played by... Read More
Being critical of Buddhism isn't easy.Buddhism is the most likable... Read More
Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig... Read More
Let's take a look at all these aspects. The bible... Read More
Have you ever wondered how much faith you really have?... Read More
Life is like an obstacle course in which we run... Read More
As Christians, we know we need God in every aspect... Read More
Some of my greatest teachers have taught me that faith... Read More
Good morning Roy, good morning JosethWhat about me, were do... Read More
The more that "little me" allows surrender the more is... Read More
Job was a spiritual man who loved and obeyed God... Read More
Spirit - All Around Us, All of Us, Every One... Read More
We have a proclivity to think of individuals and nations... Read More
2 Corinthians 6:17-6:17For God so loved the world, that He... Read More
Spirituality |