Filling the Spaces

Filling the Spaces

20170128_083251

Filling the Spaces

I have been reading through the Psalms over the last few weeks and have been enjoying the poetry and beauty of the words in scripture. This psalm is a beautiful reminder of the glory of God on display in nature and all of creation.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. (Ps 19:1-6)

My brother took this picture in Vancouver BC and I love how with no leaves on the trees, you can see through to the mountains beyond and the sun shinning in the distance. If it were summer, the leaves would have obscured this view, making it much more difficult to see the beauty beyond.

This picture reminds me of the times in my life when I try to fill in my free time with “things,” chores, to do lists, even mindless tasks of Facebook, or surfing the web. Filling the empty spaces of my life with these “things” often obscures the activity of God around me. Can you relate with the need to be busy?

Our culture values busyness and activity and I think that is what makes me feel slightly guilty when I have free time. I feel like I need to “be productive” instead of sitting still. I am beginning to learn the value of stillness and “free time.” It’s in the moments of stillness and quiet that God is often able to get through to me, revealing something about himself or myself. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to be still. Sometimes I can be apprehensive about what God may be trying to show me.

I am learning to welcome free time in my life. I am using the time for rest, reading and relaxation. I am also learning to listen more closely for God as the space opens up in my life. I am noticing that as I cultivate free time and stillness into my schedule, I am more relaxed, patient and open to hear from God.

Psalm 19 goes on to say that God’s law and precepts refresh our souls and gives joy to our hearts, I believe this to be true. For when I take time to soak in his words, meditate upon them and sit in the stillness, I feel refreshed and more joyful. Using some of my free time to reflect upon the goodness of the Lord and to thank Him, brings me an overwhelming sense of peace and relaxation.

When was the last time you actually had some free time and stillness to rest and recharge? Instead of filling the space with “busyness,” why not take that time to read a good book or reflect on God’s activity in your life. Sometimes by simply taking the time to pause and take our eyes off our day, we are able to see the beauty of the Lord around us.

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