Do you have a space where your mind stills or settles: a space when, although you engage activity, your thoughts slowdown, enabling you to be fully present in the moment?
When I am with Eve and Ellie, my mind rests. When I tend the garden and water the flowers, my mind rests. While cleaning, mopping the floor, and vacuuming, my mind rests. I notice that I don’t think to problem solve, plan, or assess during these moments. My brain gets a break as I engage these experiences and activities. I enjoy these spaces and live with what is, receiving God’s generous gifts, knowing His extravagant love envelops all.
Several years ago, I read a stimulating book called Holy Noticing. The text challenged me to live present to the current moment. The author defined holy noticing as “the art of noticing, with a holy purpose, God and His handiwork, our relationships, and our inner world of thoughts and feelings.” The premise of the book invited the reader to develop the discipline of presence; to increase one’s capacity to live with holy noticing, being mindful. After reading this book, God launched me on a journey of presence with Him which I continue to grow in today.
As Jim Elliot said, “Wherever you are, be all there.”
Living mindful enables the mind to relax and be in the present moment believing the presence of God inhabits every point in time, circumstance, and experience. This reflects the prophet Isaiah’s words: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:3-4). When we live this way, our brains get a break from the bombardments of a complex world which demand our thoughts.
Think – To have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something. To use one’s mind actively to form connected ideas.
While God designed our brains to think with our minds, God also beckons us to be still, to take every thought captive, and live with intentional communion with Himself. Unfortunately, we often live distracted, inattentive, and preoccupied. We struggle to be present. Perhaps, we think too much which leads to criticism, anxiety, narration (self-talk), exhaustion, and performance.
What if we lived curious and attentive to the present moment, without judgment or critique towards ourselves and others?
Jesus lived alert to each moment for the voice, presence, and activity of His Heavenly Father. Jesus sought out silence and stillness in the presence of the Father and vibrantly walked the earth from this communion. Jesus modeled attentive, mindful living; being present to the current moment with holy noticing. Let’s follow the example of Jesus.
We can grow in the remembrance of Jesus Christ with each breath we take. Our very breath comes from God. Through practice, we learn to allow our minds to slow and settle with our Savior so that we might savor the present moment. We consent to awareness of what is, with enthusiasm for God’s presence. We give our brains a break.
Paying attention to our five senses in the moment increases our ability to see, hear, touch, smell, and taste the goodness and grace of God. Colors become more vibrant, the giggles of a child more melodic, the heat of the sun more mesmerizing, the smell of the garden more refreshing, and the taste of home-baked bread more satiating. We slow from thinking and shift to experiencing the gifts of God surrounding us.
What activities invite your thinking mind to slow? Notice when you just are: without judging, planning, fretting, or interpreting.
A recent podcast by Restoring the Soul suggested the mindful practice of exploring our experiences of and emotions towards silence and stillness without judgment. Instead, approach our experience and emotion with intrigue and inquisitiveness in the presence of God. Noticing what bubbles within the mind, heart, and body when slowing down positions us for deeper conversations and communion with the Lord. Paying attention to the ways we do or don’t settle offer opportunities to discover with God and welcome His transforming power.
Give your brain a break. Let your thoughts slow in order to embrace the current expressions of God’s presence, power, and peace.
This week – – –
Reflect. Meditate on John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” In what ways does not thinking and practicing the presence of God grow your love for God and others? Reflect on this quote by C.S. Lewis – “In silence and in meditation on the eternal truths, I hear the voice of God which excites our hearts to greater love.”
Request. Thank God for His goodness, gifts, and grace to you. Confess your lack of awareness of His presence. Receive the forgiveness of God. Ask your Triune God to increase your capacity to live attentive to what is in the present moment, trusting His presence with you.
Receive. Set a timer for five minutes. Be with God. Bring your thoughts into His presence and let your mind, heart, and body relax. Journal about your experience. What was it like for you to be still? What judgments, anxieties, and stories came to your awareness in the silence? Be curious with God about what you notice and release these things to God’s care. Receive His everlasting love and grace.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
2 Corinthians 10:5 – We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Psalm 46:10-11 – He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Charles Stone. Holy Noticing: the Bible, your Brain, and the Mindful Space Between Moments. Chicago, IL. 2019.
Brother Lawrence. The Practice of the Presence of God. New Kensington. 1982.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Jeremy Camp. Keep me in the Moment. Click here to watch & listen.
TobyMac. Nothin’ Sweeter. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
August 13-16 – Lincoln, CA – Visit to celebrate my parent’s 65th anniversary.