Saturday, November 25

A Peaceful Quiet

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

Isaiah continues to talk about the peaceful kingdom that will one day come to the Israelites. For now, they are exiled. But one day peace will be restored to them. One of the hallmarks of peace is "quietness." This especially struck me, this idea of quietness, because my brain is so rarely quiet. There is so much stimulation in this world, it's hard to find time and space for quiet. My mind, in fact, sometimes feels like this. (In this movie clip from Twilight, Breaking Dawn Part 1, the human, Bella, is bitten by vampire, Edward, and the venom spreads. Inside her head there is terror and excruciating pain, while on the outside she is so still, she appears to be dead. Watch this clip from 2:38 to 3:04 to see what I mean.)

Warning! There is blood and gore in this clip!

Yeah, my brain feels like that sometimes. On the outside I appear calm and at peace. But on the inside, my brain burns hot, and the noise is unbearable. So God's promise of quiet peace is quite appealing to me. So much so, I seek out time and space for quiet. Many mornings after I wake up, I just lay in bed, no TV, no phone, no music. I just think. In the quiet. It's a necessary practice for me. I need the time for my brain to sort all the things rolling around in there into the places they need to be. Without that time, the noise just gets louder and the stress elevates.

So, here is a quiet moment just for you. Take this time to meditate and let your brain heal from the noise and chaos around you.

And, for Dr Who fans, here is a special meditation just for you.

Narrative Lectionary Text: Isaiah 32:16-20

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. The forest will disappear completely, and the city will be utterly laid low. Happy will you be who sow beside every stream, who let the ox and the donkey range freely.