More COLORED LIGHTS! MUSIC! PARTIES! ALL OF THE THINGS!
As an Enneagram 7 the “more” of Advent can be seductive, but ironically it is the opposite that God invites us into during this sacred waiting season.
Stillness instead of activity. Silence instead of noise. Wonder instead of worry.
The other day, God connected the dots for me in a way only He can.
My devotional reading was about Zechariah. In Luke 2:20 when he questions the angel in disbelief the angel says,
“and now you will be silent and not able to speak…”
Although this was a punishment, was silence also a gift to Zechariah in a way? What did this silence make possible?
What came to my mind was that perhaps Z experienced more of the sufficiency of God like it says in Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God.”
This thought was further impressed on me when I went to write a note and the verse on the front of the card reads:
“The Lord will fight for you. You only need to stand still”
Exodus 14:14
As these thoughts were swirling in my mind, we received a call from the choir director at our church who had been working for months on a classic Christmas concert including orchestra, soloists and choir that was scheduled for the next day.
He told us that after a 3 1/2 hour choir rehearsal one choir member had tested positive for Covid. In an abundance of caution, with great sorrow, they were canceling the choir portion of the evening.
This director was so disappointed, but he said, “God will still use this.” And He did. It was amazing.
And in the margin where the choir was to sing, we provided a time of silence. To breathe. To listen. To pay attention to the thin place between heaven and earth.
Maybe you’re reading this and you have kids and a demanding job and you can’t imagine silence. Or maybe you are alone and silence exacerbates loneliness.
Can I suggest one small act of resistance? (If your answer is “no”, stop reading :))
Early in the morning while it’s still dark, or late at night before you go to bed, bundle up, go outside and look up.
Be still.
Feel your smallness and God’s majesty.
Feel your belovedness.
Breathe in: “Jesus”
Breathe out: “You are with me in this place.”
What practices have been helpful to you this Advent? Share in the comments!
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As I sat at the Mayo Clinic today, waiting and praying for my husband receiving care, I knew not what would happen yet I knew Who was in charge. I looked around the waiting room and was humbled to see people with great needs for healing. I listened to sacred Christmas music, sure in the knowledge that this time of waiting and hope could be a time of healing whatever the diagnosis. Slow, deep breathing “Emmanuel, God with us”
May it be so.
A hard, sacred time it sounds like. Praying for you now.