Day 1: Be Still...

Be still and know that I am God…
Psalm 46

This verse, taken from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament, is over 2,500 years old. Clearly, even then, there was a need for people to be reminded of the importance of stillness – quiet – in their lives.

As the millennia have passed and human society has advanced to the present, we’re still in need of stillness, perhaps more than ever.

When we are still, we allow our minds and bodies to gradually come to rest. When we quiet ourselves we’re better able to hear the voice of God – the voice that lies deeply within and around us all. That voice is the truest part of ourselves and when we pay attention and listen carefully we’ll find ourselves coming into a deeper, richer encounter with the Divine.

You are invited to begin your retreat by spending time in silence, being still. Spend a few moments clearing your mind and allowing yourself to be quiet. Do this at your desk or, better yet, find a quiet, comfortable place to be. Sit in the stillness of the present moment, letting go of all other thoughts, concerns, and distractions as best you can. Check in on your physical senses as you sit in the stillness. Do you have a sense of well-being? Of being tired? Hungry? Energized? etc. Sit with these feelings for a bit. Don't judge them, just note them and accept them. If helpful, journal about your experience.

Suggested Activity: Breathing Exercise

Pay attention to your breathing – inhaling and exhaling gently, regularly and fully. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Perhaps you might wish to repeat the word “peace” when you inhale and “love” when you exhale. Or, choose some other image or word upon which to focus while you breathe. Sometimes simply being attentive to your own breath in this way can help you be still and become aware of God’s presence.

Day 2: Do Not Worry

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Matthew 6: 25-34

Reflection:

How deeply personal is this message from Jesus to us. How simple and natural for Christ to use the birds in the air and the lilies of the field to make his enduring point: that God will take care of us.

God knows what we need, better than we know it ourselves. And, just as the most insignificant of God’s creation are taken care of, so, too, shall we be.

So, why then worry? Jesus asks his followers. Can we add one hour to our lives by worrying? Are we able to influence something that is out of our control? Let tomorrow worry about tomorrow.

There are so many rich lessons within this simple narrative that we would do well to remember. Don’t be a slave to your material desires, but seek to be a good and faithful person. Live in the moment and do not be consumed over what the future holds. The same God who takes care of the least among us will surely continue to care for you and I.

Activity:

Take a moment to do a “physical inventory” of yourself. What happens when you feel stressed or anxious? Do you clench your stomach muscles or make a fist? Are your shoulders tense and is your breath quicker and more shallow? Do you knit your brow?

Alternatively, how do you feel when you are free from worry and stress? Are you breathing deeply – inhaling and exhaling fully? Is your body loose and relaxed? Are your mind and your heart at ease?

Our bodies hold answers to our spiritual wellbeing. Make a point of checking in with yourself during the day to take this “physical inventory.” If you find yourself showing the physical signs of worry and anxiety, take a break. Settle yourself and let your worry go.

Question:

Make a short list of the things that worry you. Then examine this list and ask yourself if there is anything you can do about any of the items you’ve listed. If so,write this down as a step towards further action. If there is nothing you can do, then cross this off of your list of things to worry about.