Life can be so demanding- a never ending series of emails, phonecalls and activities. By the time you finish one item on your to do list, another 5 have popped up. It can be a relentless series of tasks and voices and responsibilities.

In the midst of it all, sometimes taking time out, just staring into space can be part of the answer. It is counter cultural- for a while not being productive or goal orientated or seen to be useful, but just to do nothing.

In his book ‘The Jesus way’ Eugene Petersen speaks in this way ‘we stop, whether by chance or through circumstances, so we can be attentive and receptive to what God is doing in and for us, and for others on the way. We wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies.’

These times of stopping can be in time out over the summer, or weekends, or daily practices of interweaving quiet moments into our day. Sometimes we take that time because of ill health or bereavement. It is time to  slow down, to reflect and to take stock.

We know that in the ten commandments, in Exodus chapter 20, the fourth commandment is to ‘Remember the sabbath and keep it holy’. We are to make sure we have a day each week’ dedicated to worship, to rest and renewal. In our 24/7 culture however, people are under pressure to work longer hours, connected to technology which piles on the pressure, where people expect instant availability, answers and action. We get sucked into this culture, until we are in danger of losing our sense of self, our identity.

Taking a moment to challenge that culture can be daunting, but is essential. Even if we are just gazing into space, our body gets a moment of respite from all the stresses and pressures, our adrenalin and cortisol levels get a chance to regulate, and we can become less tired. The more regularly we have these quieter moments, the better for our bodies.

We also need still moments for our souls, to be able to connect with God more deeply, and to rest in His presence. The silence can be a time to hear His message of love and grace to us anew, to receive nurture, and discover new possibilities. 

Making space just to be, can enable much to happen. However we make the space, just to pause and to catch our breath,  and this in turn can enable us, when we are ready, to find a deeper rhythm of connection and to re- orientate to God’s purpose for us.

Staring into space, allows us a time to rest, to process our thoughts, to get in touch with what is going on within us. It helps us get beyond the clamouring voices and pressures of every day life, and to sit in stillness. This enables us to then hear the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, to experience love, healing and peace. We are thankful for a God who reminds us of the importance of rest, and we pray that this might be a priority in our daily lives.

Gracious God, at times our minds are so busy, trying to keep our email boxes under control, to live up to expectations, to fulfil our responsibilities. It can become a constant grind. Lord Jesus, in your earthly ministry, you took time out to pray and to rest. Teach us how to do this, without feeling guilty. Help us to trust that You, the God of the universe, can carry our burdens, and set us free from all that is heavy. Grant us moments of stillness in our daily lives, just to be. And in these quiet moments, may we learn to be attentive to your Holy Spirit and to your gentle whispers of love and healing. In Jesus’ name, Amen