“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”
Often when I think of the peace that we have in Christ, I think about the gift of peace that He gives regardless, and perhaps in spite, of the circumstances we're facing. While that gift of peace is truly incredible and is more than we can understand (Phil. 4:7), a scripture from our through-the-bible-in-a-year reading plan reminded me that I can participate in receiving this peace. When I came to Psalm 131 last week, I saw that it was underlined and circled in my bible and so I've been reflecting on it for the past few days.
The contentedness of the Psalmist, David, comes from the active choice to calm and quiet himself. Himself. He chose to not be proud and not to try to control what was God's to control but instead to not be concerned with those things. The implication is that he didn't rush from day to day and ask God for peace in the midst of the busyness; he purposefully found a way to quiet his heart.
I'm not sure what "quieting" might look like in your life, but I'm sure you know it when you're doing it. It's when you come away from the noise, when your mind isn't buzzing, when your phone is on DND, when you're walking or journalling or cooking or kayaking or sitting on the deck. It's when you are calm and can pray without hurry, able to listen more than you talk. David says there is contentment there. I agree.
I hear the scripture gently calling me to more a more active pursuit of peace, a more intentional carving of time and space to participate in the peace that is freely given by Jesus. There is contentment there.
How can you calm and quiet yourself, fully trusting God with every concern? Listen with me to the call of scripture and actively engage in His peace.
In Christ,
Pastor Tracy
Just for fun, here’s a colouring sheet (for adultS and kids alike!) that you can download… maybe this a way to quiet yourself? Give it a try!
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Questioning God
Pastor Tracy Dunham
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