The hustle and bustle. Rushing here and there. Fast paced culture is often brought to a slowing down this time of year. Whether it be the long lines at the stores, the heavy traffic clogging streets and highways or simply the winter weather. Snow and ice…cars creeping at speeds so low a bug can keep up. 

Most times we find ourselves frustrated, upset. Deadlines can’t be met. Our agendas crushed. Blood runs hot through our veins as we wait. Wait in lines. Wait in traffic. 

However, is there value in the waiting? In the down time. The stillness. 

Several years ago as I laid in a hospital bed listening to the doctor. “Now, you need to take it easy. No lifting over five pounds. You need to give your body time to heal. It is natural for the body to take several months after a surgery to get back to normal function.” 

“What! Are you kidding me?” I was frustrated. My silly appendix was causing me to slow down. I didn’t even know what an appendix was until it started wrecking havoc in my body. 

Didn’t my appendix and the doctor know I had a business to manage? Despite my frustration, I was stuck. Forced into a time of stillness. A time of rest. 

Have you felt similar in your life? Has God used something or someone to slow you down? Pause. Rest. 

It’s not all bad. There is beauty, holiness in the stillness. In the resting. Recently as my husband and I were reading in Genesis I was struck by this verse: 

Genesis 2:2-3 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. ESV

God made the seventh day holy because He rested. Wow! Resting is important to God. It is valuable in our lives. 

The next time you stand in line at the grocery store or find yourself on the couch with the flu. Pray that God can use the down time. Pray that you can set aside your agenda, your plan and find the holiness. Find peace in the stillness. 

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” NLT