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Slow Down
August 1, 2010
Pastor Bob Nienhuis
 
Slow Down
I’m busy. You’re busy. We are all busy.
Sometimes, when we are honest with ourselves, we’d even say we are too busy.
I spoke with a retiree recently who commented that, in retirement, he seems to have even less free time than he had when he was working.
But we just go on, filling our schedules with a multitude of activities and plans while, on occasion, complaining about our busy lives.
Then there is that convicting phrase from Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God”.
I want to be still; I want to know God in the intimate way that only being quiet with him can bring. But, if I’m honest, it doesn’t come naturally.
Still, when I am quiet, when I do stop my running around, I do find that I see God all around me. In the past couple of months, when I’ve been intentional about trying to slow down a bit, I’ve seen some great reminders of God’s grace and goodness.
Sitting on our deck late one afternoon, I watched a gorgeous little hummingbird flit from blossom to blossom on our Hosta plants. Busy at work doing what God had intended for it to do, I marveled at the rapid beat of its wings and the shimmering color of its feathers.
On another day, and in another place, I saw a couple of Baltimore Orioles -- at least I think that’s what they were but I’m not an expert on birds. I enjoyed watching them, their bright orange colors making them easy to spot, as they swooped and soared playfully through the trees.
Early one morning, I looked at the western sky and saw half a rainbow arching in front of some dark, rain-filled clouds. The colors were bright and vibrant and I was instantly reminded of God’s promise in Genesis 9:11, “I establish my covenant with you: never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
Then there was the Praying Mantis that I saw as it walked along a branch. With its colors and structure, I almost missed it as it blended into its surroundings. But I didn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t. It was a great reminder of God’s infinite creativity, an insect disguised to look like a twig so that it can capture and eat harmful insects.
Standing on the shore of Lake Michigan, I watched as the waves rolled in, one after the other. For as far as I could see there was water, sparkling like a million diamonds in the bright sunlight. I stood there for the longest time, captivated by the beauty that stretched before me and grateful for God’s goodness in allowing me to see it.
I’m trying to take time to be still, to see what is around me, and to recognize God’s presence and grace in what I see.
It’s not always easy. But when I am still, when I do even just a few minutes to notice what is around me, it is always time well spent.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
Join me, will you, in developing stillness in your life so that we can see and know God in the things around us.
Cheerfully,
Pastor Bob
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