Yesterday I drove to Indianapolis and back. The first 5 miles on the interstate I dialed back and forth between the 240+ stations on the satellite radio — Christmas carols, Latin jazz, ESPN sports, CNN. Suddenly I hit the off button and said loudly, “Stop it.”
For the next 100+ miles I kept the radio off entirely and concentrated on my breathing. After a while, my mind thought of Isaiah 30:15-16:
Quietness is a rare commodity this month. I counted the swift horses in my life, neighing and fleeing here and there…
worry
shopping
eating
the unknown future
anger
fear
loneliness
embarrassment
cynicism
more worry
more shopping
more eating…
This morning I looked at the four Advent candles sitting on the table before me. I looked back at the verses in Isaiah. Four words leapt from the page … return, rest, quietness, trust.
I prayed Psalm 131. I said, “This is my new Advent Prayer.” Want to join me in making it yours, too?
New International Version, ©2010)
A song of ascents. Of David.
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
both now and forevermore.
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