In the media there is mainly trouble, and sometimes the world seems to get too much for us.
We may wish to detach ourselves from it, and temporarily that can be a good idea if we do so in a constructive way.
For me, getting away from the hustle and bustle of life means finding a quiet spot and taking time out.
It may be spending time alone with God, going for a walk in the bush or along the river, gazing at the vivid colours of a sunrise or sunset, or staring at the sparkling stars in an ink blue sky.
You may use other ways to achieve stillness in your life.
Achieving a time of quiet or silence can be no easy task.
Your head may be feeling all abuzz, and hardly ready to settle down and be quiet, so how can you achieve stillness when you are like this?
When many things are on your mind and you desire a time of quietness, it can be helpful to jot down these concerns and then put them aside to deal with later.
And no matter how hard it might be, you will need to release yourself from the captivity of electronic devices, even for a short time.
For me, the aim of being quiet is usually to recentre myself to be what I am called to be, and that usually means seeking time alone with God.
No matter how much we desire to spend time alone with God, how do we know that God will be there to meet us when we do put time aside?
If we believe that God is the ground of our being, then God can be found deep within.
Our task is to listen for that still, small voice in our depths.
The still, small voice of God is not something we can create; we can only provide the conditions which allow this to take place.
From the Bible we read that Jesus calls us to rest in him when we are burdened.
St Augustine once wrote, ‘Our hearts do not rest until they rest in thee.’
This means we need to surrender to the presence of God within, no matter how hard that may be.
And in our surrender, that still, small voice of God can come to us.
The psalmist encourages us to, ‘Be still and know that God is God’.
When you are feeling overcome by the troubles of the world, it is good to put time aside to reconnect with who you are and spend time with God who is deep within each one of us, longing for our company.
Try asking God to help you put aside the strains and stresses from your life for a moment that you may spend time resting in God and then be better able to meet the challenges life brings.
— Rev Michele Lees, Echuca Moama Uniting Church minister
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