by C. C. Laurel

Created on: July 20, 2009

Be still and know that I am God. How? In this age of cell phones, computers, fast food, and ready mode of transportation, it is easy and convenient to move from one task to another without pausing to eat or talk to a love one on the phone. The art of letter writing is close to being obsolete. After all, we can email our friends and family and receive instant response to any issue or concern that happens to be on our minds at the moment. Our society utilizes the "here and now" instinctively, without breaking our routines to be idle and to clear our minds from the tumult of daily living.

Vitamins and organic food fuel our bodies to meet the demands that we place on our bodies in the quest to accomplish our daily tasks. But, how do we take care of our spiritual being? The health of our consciousness is just as important as our physical self, but it is easily ignore. It takes time to care for our inner self and spirit. How can it be plausible to find a point in our busy day to stop long enough to move inward and meet God?

Prayer is the fuel for our spiritual self. It is the pathway to God and growth for our consciousness. To be still is to pray. Listening to the word of God does not end with the Sunday morning gospel at church or with the pastor's homily. It is how you receive it afterwards and what you gleaned from the message. Everyone listens and relate to each of the lessons at the time of the readings. Not losing the content of what we had learned and committing it to our hearts while planning the rest of our day takes a measure of perseverance. Being still long enough to explore God's word can be taxing especially in a busy household. The irony is that when life gets busy is when you need to be quiet and embrace your inner sanctuary. Be still and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10), is a moment of trust between you and the Creator. Faith grows and flourishes by letting go and listening to what God has to impart to you, one of his own creations. Keeping a journal while praying enhances the experience because it represents the precious moments that you shared with God. How it is written is not as important and what is written. The words do not need to be elaborate or elegant, just written from your heart. Discovering a moment of grace from your writing is God's personal promise that is private and enduring between you and the Creator.

The sprit needs solitude and rest. Time alone with God satisfies the inner sanctuary and is an escape from the rush and hassle of the world around us. Being quiet and letting God speak helps with the demands of life and give us the strength to over come any obstacles we encounter during the day. Creating our own retreat through prayer and rest nourishes the sprit and is productive by healing the bruised and battered soul. Quiet walks through a favorite garden or park, sitting alone on the porch, meditating on a favorite quote or Bible verse are other examples of prayer. Whatever gives opportunity to letting go and allowing God to speak to you is a moment of prayer. Drawing close to the Creator in faith and trust is to know God and his word.

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