It seems that frenetic activity becomes embedded in the practice of religion. Notice I said religion and not spirituality. I know that was the case for me growing up. So much energy was spent creating an illusion of importance surrounding the practice of faith as I knew it. Church services at least three time a week was normal. During revival meetings?Forget it! We were there at least every night for a week – many times, multiple weeks. There were Bible studies and men’s breakfasts and women’s meetings and youth gatherings. There was Vacation Bible School and summer camp. There were “visitation nights” where the “faithful” went out in twos to witness to, share with, cajole and otherwise invite “prospects” to come to church. If we weren’t careful, we could be busy every day/night of the week in pursuit of purposeful practice of our religion.
I went to college and discovered more of the same. Spending four years at a Baptist University presented ample opportunities to extend that type of experience. And extend it, I did! I was busy, busy, busy!
I continued this pursuit of “spiritual activity” as if my eternity depended on it! I was busy racking up points on the game board of sacred busyness. Funny thing about this strange cycle of futility . . . It was addicting.
I can say that I changed. At least I began to change in my mid-thirties when life dealt a completely unexpected life challenge. In the immediate aftermath of the life-altering event, I found myself falling into empty activity in an effort to fill the holes in my soul. It didn’t help. In fact, nothing helped. That is until something profound shook me to my core.
I read a verse I had read many, many times before; however, on one particular day, I read it as if for the very first time. The verse? “Be still and know that I am God.”
There you have it! Be Still . . . Period! No studies or services or banquets or witnessing sessions. No retreats or camps or revivals or seminars. No, none of that at all. The only thing necessary for my spirit to find connection and meaning was the simple, profound act of Being Still.
I wonder what might happen if instead of buying into the Western ADHD version of the practice of Faith, we would simply learn to BE STILL? In wonder.
I challenge you to take just five minutes a day and do nothing that you normally do in the pursuit and practice of your faith. Nothing except Be Still! I will be interested to find out what you KNOW as a result!
Peace!
Mark E. Hundley
