Friday, January 14, 2022
Greetings, Dear Friends ~
One of the most fulfilling things for me is having the time to be quiet! Since I’m normally working on any number of assignments or projects, it is a blessing to be able to pause, be quiet, and listen—sometimes to nothing. At least that is partially true. We can hear much from the Lord, and deep within ourselves, when we simply stop talking.
I learned years ago the value and beauty of silence. At times, it seems to me that we are so acculturated to a climate of noise, doing, and filling space with sound that we forget the tranquility of the quiet. Our Lord understood this intimately. Scripture shows us that before and after critical decisions, Jesus paused to find a quiet place to pray to the Father. One such occurrence is cited in Mark 1:35. It is just one sentence that sits in between Jesus driving out many demons and healing a man with leprosy. Just one sentence! But what happens in the sentence is crucial to Christ’s work in ministry. What can we learn from this one sentence—one moment to pause and pray?!
“And in the morning, a great while before day, He rose and went out to a lonely place, and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35; c.f., Luke 4:42).
Jesus taught the importance of praying privately—where no one else knows but our Father in heaven. “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6).
These moments of solitary, private prayer happen within sacred spaces. They can occur anywhere: in a field, in the mountains, in a room in our homes, in our cars, in our offices, and yes, even in our bathrooms! Where is your sacred space? Where do you go to hear the Voice of God and sense His presence in your daily life? Where does God meet you? Wherever you pray to Him in the quietness of the day is your sacred space, your prayer room; and the Lord desires to meet you there. How very special is that? The God of the universe desires time alone with you!
Throughout this year, I pray you and I will be led by the Holy Spirit to those sacred spaces. In sacred spaces, may we commune with our Divine Creator; may we sing songs to Him and bless His holy Name; may we receive direction and be guided by His Spirit; may we surrender to His will; may it be well with our souls; and may we walk in the Light of His Divine Love. I pray your time alone with the Father will make (or keep) you healthy, whole, nurtured, and well.
As you go . . . please remember that this world is definitely a much better place because you are in it.
Until next time, My Friend,
Selah
Thank you for devoting time and space to this topic. It never gets old and the reminders are necessary and welcome. I find that spending quiet time communing with our Savior is peace-inducing, especially in this tumultuous time in which we live.
I love the title, Sacred Spaces.” I have found many such spaces in my adopted home of Colorado in places of great beauty where I am stunned by God’s creative breath. He has helped me realize that intimacy with Him is just as powerful when snuggling under my warm blankets before getting out of bed on a cold morning. Thanks for the reminder to get quiet with Him, my friend.
I love the title, “Sacred Spaces.” I have found them in abundance in my adopted home state of Colorado where the beauty of God’s breath in His creation continues to stun me. God has helped me to realize, however, that intimacy with Him is just as stunning when I am snuggling under my covers on a chilly morning hesitating to leave my bed. Thanks, my friend, for the reminder to get quiet.