Writings of a Beholder 🌿 11.25.22
Advent's invitation to be still & know and other resources for your weekend
Weekly writings of a beholder 🌿
Advent’s invitation to be still & know
It was the middle of December, and he was frantic, eyes frenzied and racing from one gate to the next and then back down again at the ticket clutched fiercely in his left hand.
Although I didn’t know this man or his story, I could tell by the panicked look on his face that he was dangerously close to missing his flight. He gripped his suitcase ferociously as if it were the only thing keeping him sane, keeping him anchored to the Earth. He passed quickly by me as I stood in line waiting to board my own plane, his feet picking up speed as his mind surely raced ten steps ahead of him.
As I watched this scene unfold before me, I said a short prayer for the unnamed, hurried man, clearly in distress. He was soon out of sight and still to this day I hope he made his flight.
Rather than turning my attention back to the boarding line and tuning into the voice calling out to the airport crowds through the loudspeakers about boarding times, delays, and departures, I began people-watching. I began paying attention. And soon I found at least ten others with the same speedy pace and panic-stricken look on their face that the hurried man had mere seconds ago.
The same look and demeanor that I surely carried with me before finding my own gate and my own place in line.
Airports have a way of bringing out the humanity in all of us, don’t they? And not always the pretty parts. We run from gate to gate, suitcases in tow, praying that our flight doesn’t get canceled or delayed, longing more than anything to get to the next destination smoothly and safely.
Life sort of feels that way, too, most of the time, doesn’t it?
I sometimes wonder if we miss the beauty of the journey, the opportunity to love the people we pass by whether through a kind smile or a quick prayer, or the invitation into the present moment that God is constantly extending to us, all because we’re in a hurry. All because we get consumed with the chaos and the desire to be certain about what’s next instead of trusting that God’s goodness and love really do follow us all the days of our lives.
I wrestled with these thoughts as I found my seat on the plane, watching people shove their carry-on bags into the overhang or under their seats, straining their necks to find an open spot to sit.
It was the middle of December, right smack in the middle of Advent; a sacred time of anticipation and contemplation as we prepare our hearts to celebrate and receive the birth of our Savior. A time meant to be savored, our hearts and minds hushed by a Holy Presence Who came down from Heaven to be with us for all eternity.
But we’re human, and that’s ok. And sometimes in our humanity, we have a hard time being hushed. Sometimes we struggle to invite the Silence because we grow comfortable with the chaos and the false promises it gives.
I prayed as the plane took off, asking the Lord how on earth we’re all supposed to slow down during one of the busiest times of the year. How could we possibly still ourselves and focus our souls on the Savior rather than getting caught up in gift wrapping, traveling, cooking, and keeping up that so consumes the Christmas season?
His response was simple, coming straight from the book of Psalms, and a holy hush fell over me as He spoke the words of Psalm 46:10,
"Be still and know that I am God."
Be still and know Who I Am.
Be still and know Who you belong to.
Be still and know the heart behind the One who calls you His Beloved.
There’s a hushing of the soul that happens when we remember Who God is and who we are in Him. There’s an inner stillness that creeps in amidst the outward chaos and brings rest of mind and peace of soul. And it all begins with stilling ourselves long enough to know God.
To commune with Him; to taste His truth and call it good.
Then, even when the plane takes off and you’re not on it, and you’re left standing there with nothing but your suitcase and a ticket that will no longer take you anywhere, you can anchor yourself to the truth that God has a plan and His plans are always good and faithful.
Or when the child receives a cancer diagnosis, you can cry out in lament to a God you know sits enthroned above it all rather than growing bitter and hard.
“Be still & know, that child’s destiny is in My hands.”
When the spouse dies, or the betrayal pierces, or the marriage falls apart, or the money dwindles away, you can reach for the rest and power of God rather than give up and give in.
“Be still & know I see your pain, your fear, and hear your hurting heart, and I come close.”
This is Advent’s ultimate invitation; to be still and know.
To approach the throne of grace and be stilled by the Sacred and hushed by the Holy. To pause in His presence, linger in His glory, and revel in His beauty. To notice Him with you throughout each crazy December day, even as you gift wrap, travel, cook, and sit around the table with family members you may only see once a year and with whom you may not always agree.
I share this invitation with you today, my friend, because God longs to commune with you even in the chaos of the Holiday season. He longs to meet you right where you are, providing you with moments of stillness as He hushes you with the truth of Who He is and who you are in Him.
And it’s the same invitation I extend to you in my new Advent eBook, Be Still & Know: Seeking Still Moments in God’s Presence this Advent Season. Because I know how hard it can be to remain centered and grounded in God when you feel tugged in 15 million different directions.
But all the same, Advent invites you to come as you are; to be still and know.
This is my heart behind crafting this offering for you, and I pray you can hear that today in these words of mine. My greatest longing for you is to know Christ intimately and to be stilled by His Holy presence as you walk with Him and look for Him through this crazy airport-esque life.
Each day of this devotional is going to begin with a quote for you to contemplate, an invitation into silence and stillness with the Lord before moving on to your Scripture reading and devotional reading. The day will then close with a prayer and a reflection question for you to ponder, pray, or journal about with the Holy Spirit.
After December 25th, there is an invitation to continue on until the end of December, inviting you to still your soul in the presence of God as you head into the new year.
If you share in my own longing, to be still & know, then join me in stilling your soul in the presence of God this Advent season by grabbing a copy of Be Still & Know.
I’m confident that Stillness of soul, a Holy Hush, will meet you there.
A breath prayer for your weekend
breathe in:
Be still and know.
breathe out:
That I am God. (Psalm 46:10)*if you’d like to learn more about the practice of breath prayer, check out this blog post I wrote titled, How to Use Breath Prayer.
Resources & fun things to pick up
Everything on The Beholding Co., my Etsy shop, is 15% off starting today through Monday! Grab a copy of Be Still & Know or a pack of Advent-themed breath prayer cards at a discount: The Beholding Co.
This week on the blog, I share how I believe we were created to live an unhurried life and introduce you to the spiritual rhythm of contemplative prayer. Read or listen here: Living Unhurried: An Invitation Into Contemplative Prayer
My friend and fellow writer, Kari Bartkus, is offering an 8-week journaling course called Journal Gently that’s designed to help you experience God’s presence in the midst of grief. I went through the 8-week writing program myself, and it was incredibly healing and life-giving. Check it out here: Journal Gently
Kari also released a podcast episode recently on how to slow down and be hushed by the Holy this holiday season: Practicing the Holy Hush Instead of the Holiday Hustle
Need a gift for a loved one in your life this Christmas? Grab a copy of my Bible study, You Are Beloved: a 21-day study on how to root your identity in the love of God, over on Amazon.
An invitation to pause & reflect
A regular practice of reflection helps us recognize what’s going on beneath the surface of our souls so that we can name it in the Lord’s presence. Because as we learn to name what we feel, what we need, and what we long for, we’re also learning to discern the Spirit’s sweet, gentle voice within our hearts and lives.
Take a few moments today or this weekend to journal or contemplate with the Holy Spirit the following question(s):
What invitation(s) do you hear the Lord extending to you as the Advent season slowly approaches? In what areas of your life do you need God most this Advent season?
xo,
celia
