Engage

Getting out of traffic

Okay, back to the topic of silence, stillness and sitting in His presence. It’s a good idea but, how, oh how, does it happen in our nutso, crazy, wild ride existence? Is it possible to practice His presence like Brother Lawrence centuries before us when we are plagued by SO many 21st century pulls and distractions?

 Here we are…out of the fast lane, screeching halt-then, SIT, BE STILL, LISTEN. Really? Fast transitions often leave my head spinning. Can I regain a quiet focus long enough to settle into the quiet and stillness and hear anything?



Okay, back to the topic of silence, stillness and sitting in His presence. It’s a good idea but, how, oh how, does it happen in our nutso, crazy, wild ride existence? Is it possible to practice His presence like Brother Lawrence centuries before us when we are plagued by SO many 21st century pulls and distractions?

 Here we are…out of the fast lane, screeching halt-then, SIT, BE STILL, LISTEN. Really? Fast transitions often leave my head spinning. Can I regain a quiet focus long enough to settle into the quiet and stillness and hear anything?

I live in the tension between longing and reality. I long to attend to His presence but often stop short of my heart experiencing it. Maybe you are the same way.

 God has been helping me through one of my Christmas gifts, a most incredible little book. Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace in His Presence is a small, daily devotional reading from the prayer journal of Sarah Young. Her practice of listening to God, pen in hand, coupled with her commitment to the Bible as the only inerrant word of God increased her intimacy with Him more than any other spiritual discipline. She learned to wait in His presence and record what she heard.

Each brief, daily page helps focus my attention on His constant presence with me. He is working to lessen the gap between my head and my heart experience.

From February 3 –“I am with you and for you. You face nothing alone- nothing! When you feel anxious, know that you are focusing on the visible world and leaving Me out of the picture. The remedy is simple: fix your eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. Verbalize your trust in Me, the living one who sees you always. I will get you safely through this day and all your days. But you can find me only in the present. Each day is a precious gift from my Father. How ridiculous to grasp for future gifts when today’s is set before you! Receive today’s gift gratefully, unwrapping it tenderly and delving into its depths. As you
savor this gift, you find me.”
Romans 8:31; II Corinthians 4:18; Genesis 16:13-14(AMP)

He IS present always He longs for me to notice. When and how do you most notice His presence?

Gail Seidel served as Mentor Advisor for Spiritual Formation in the Department of Spiritual Formation and Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and as an Adjunct Professor in the D Min in Spiritual Formation in the D Min Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has a BA in English from the University of Texas, a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Seminary and a D Min in Spiritual Formation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is a contributor to the textbook, Foundations of Spiritual Formation, Kregel Academic. She served as co-director for Christian Women in Partnership Russia with Entrust, an international church leadership-training mission. She and her husband Andy live in Fredericksburg, Texas. They have 2 married children and 6 wonderful grandchildren--Kami, Kourtney, Katie, Mallory, Grayson, and Avery.

One Comment

  • Jamie Lath

    so true
    Stillness is such a battle. Even when I am sitting still, a hundred thoughts come running in and out. Sometimes I think the point of being still is just to show me how crazy my world is spinning around me. Thanks for this reminder that it is worth it. The passage from the book is so beautiful too!