Be Still

For years I had one scripture stuck in my mind, “And with difficulty sailing past it, we came to a place called Fair Havens”.  I have been on a quest to define Fair Havens most of my life.

There are times on our quest for peace when the noise of the world becomes deafening.  Some noise is good; having family and friends to laugh with, celebrating our successes, and sharing our hopes and dreams.  Some noise actually increases our peace. Other noises are challenging; the TV, news, constant cell phone notifications, and social media all provide non-stop information (and misinformation) that often only offers distractions that steal our peace. It can seem like the world is competing for and filling up the hours/minutes/seconds of our day.  We become tired and overwhelmed.  We question whether to pivot left or right, wondering if we’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. Incapable of thinking clearly because the noise, coming at us from all directions, has put us at a hard stop.

What if a hard stop was not us hitting a brick wall caused by chaos but the Lord calling us to be still?  In this society of 24/7/365 information availability, stillness is becoming a lost art. Our minds are constantly in motion, often running a race dodging this obstacle and then the next until we collapse mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Centering Prayer can be an instrument used to help re-learn the art of being still. What if all it took to find clarity and an inner “Fair Haven” was creating intentional times of stillness?

Finding Fair Havens

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.  Inhale through the nose to the count of five, hold for the count of seven and exhale through the mouth to the count of eight.  As you are holding this breath, recite Psalm 46:10 (NIV) “Be still and know that I am God”.  Each time backing it down one segment.  Repeat 4X.

Inhale…..Be still and know that I am God…..Exhale

Inhale…..Be still and know that I am…..Exhale

Inhale…..Be still and know…..Exhale

Inhale…..Be still…..Exhale

Inhale…..Be…..Exhale

Can you sense the noise in your mind fading away?  Do you feel the stillness flow down from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?  Listen to the Lord in this time of stillness.  What do you hear when your mind quiets?

What if Fair Haven is a quiet respite already within, hidden until we find ways to intentionally be still and acknowledge that He is God?

Are you searching for your Fair Havens?  Book a free coaching call and let’s have a conversation.