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.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhile study and pursuit of the Kundalini is considered part... Read More
What kind of foolishness is astrology? You read about Sun... Read More
Talked to an interesting person today at a coffee shop,... Read More
Today I was in rather a whimsical mood, and so... Read More
Among those arriving to the stadium early were two old... Read More
One of the first things you will find that God... Read More
If you've been on a conscious spiritual journey for any... Read More
It's real easy to look at the physical world around... Read More
Today is the day that I'm getting back into exercise.... Read More
The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using... Read More
Throughout history, what is portrayed in all religions as being... Read More
Life is just a journey. Princess DianaWhether we are... Read More
As I listen with pastors and preachers in the body... Read More
How do we feel the fullness of life itself?We have... Read More
Coming face to face with yourself in the space between... Read More
Many of us are on an inward or outward path-to... Read More
Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two... Read More
It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More
It is my personal view that the reason we call... Read More
In the movie "A Beautiful Mind" John Nash (played by... Read More
Let's take a look at all these aspects. The bible... Read More
THE PREMISEFeng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that has... Read More
One of the biggest myths to evolve in the growing... Read More
"No man is a prophet in his own country."That line... Read More
(Channeled)Roy-when does the end of physical life come? Is it... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..The 'As Above, So Below' law that is the combination... Read More
Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More
Everyday I am challenged to find the good in things:... Read More
There is no shortage in the abundance of blessings we... Read More
If anyone says that his/her religion is the only path... Read More
There was this TV commercial a couple of years back... Read More
Talked to an interesting person today at a coffee shop,... Read More
The expression "Spiritual Enlightenment" has been used often in reference... Read More
Jesus said, "No one can see the Kingdom of Heaven... Read More
Mother Nature has this uncanny tendency to turn upon herself... Read More
The chakras are different coloured energy centres that originate from... Read More
(Channelled)I have been trying to ignore this title "A Man... Read More
The Bible tells us that we need to be led... Read More
A spiritual event is what happens in every moment of... Read More
Shamanism is an ancient form of mysticism. Although... Read More
If we are honest with ourselves, we would have to... Read More
A subject of debate for thousands of years, spirituality will... Read More
Matthew 1:1-17The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the... Read More
Some may ask what is the true will of God... Read More
Imagine the Bible is a sharp and deadly double-edged sword,... Read More
The practice of meditating on loving-kindness may be over two... Read More
Why Abandon Religion?It is so commonly believed today that religion... Read More
I thought I would draw this article up as a... Read More
Last Saturday, the children were down at their grandparent's house... Read More
The word "psychology" is the combination of two terms -... Read More
Spirituality |