Wednesday, August 13, 2025

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7, New Living Translation)

          A long time ago, I used to love to go fishing at my parents’ cottage on Lake Steinburg. I would get in the boat and set out for some part of the lake. It wasn’t a very big lake. But on many a lazy summer’s day, I would get out, not far from the shoreline, turn off the motor and just slowly drift along. I never set down an anchor. If I got too close to the shore, I would paddle back out to deeper waters. I‘d cast out my line and hook with a worm as bait.  I’d light up a cigar and just enjoy the out of doors. The truth of the matter was that I really didn’t care if I caught anything. That would mean I would have to reel the fish in, take it off the hook, throw it back and start over again. Catching a fish would interrupt my blissful reverie. I might spend a couple of hours just drifting in summer breezes.  Lots of time to unwind, think, pray and relax.

            I read an article recently which expounded the importance of taking time off in the summer for R&R. It is important to unplug from the stress of work and routines and recharge our whole-body system.  We owe it to ourselves to have some down-time, some fun, some serious (?) playtime. We work through very busy, demanding and stressful schedules, whether  in a workplace, at home or even in retirement sometimes.  Our lives can be dictated to by our calendars, our clocks and our lists of things to do. The article gives six recommendations for a meaningful rest break. Yikes, now I have an agenda even for my down times!

But for what it is worth here they are:  1. Take it when you can – even if it isn’t perfect. 2. Make a list of things you might enjoy doing. 3.Small is good. 4.Practice a bit of quiet. 5.Reflect purposefully. 6. Block it off and pay yourself first. (Eilleen Chadnick, Globe and Mail)

We read in the Gospels that Jesus took time-outs from his hectic and busy schedule.  He would find some secluded spot where he would pray and think. After being inundated with the demands from people to cure illnesses, listen to their stories and requests, he needed some “me-time.”  He practiced what the Psalm advocated: be still in the presence of the Lord. The Message Bible puts it this way: "Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him." In the busy, noisy, demanding lives we have, we need time to get away from the madness and seek and renew our relationship with what and whom  deeply and truly matters and that includes our relationship with God. We time to reflect, pray, ponder,

Such quiet times helps put things in better and healthier perspective. If we were to read the whole of Psalm 37, it reminds us that even though the world is full of problems, sinful people, wickedness and the like, our time with God restores our confidence and assures that God is still in charge. “Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” (v.8) In fact, when we start to get really angry and upset about the state of the world, the Psalm tells us to chill out. “Stop being angry!  Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.” (vss.8-9)

Being still in the presence of God helps us to find inner peace, some personal sanctuary in troubled times, some sense of spiritual and psychic balance. These critical quiet times help us develop the strength and resolve of then meeting the demands of the world around us. The reconnect us with our centres and core of our beings. They help us to refocus on our priorities and relationship.

            I know that the summer is late now. But it is never too late to make the time to stop and smell the coffee, as the old saying goes. “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 4:10)

            Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
            thy wings shall my petition bear
            to him whose truth and faithfulness
            engage the waiting soul to bless.
            And since he bids me seek his face,
            believe his word, and trust his grace,
            I'll cast on him my every care,
            and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! (W.W. Walford)

Dale