Just...SELAH

With all the noise going on around us, all the chaos in the world, and the information overload that we receive day after day after day; there has to be some time to think. To pause. To reflect. To meditate on the things we need to meditate on. To just...SELAH.

The word Selah is found 71 times in the Psalms of the Old Testament. It's also found 3 times in Habakkuk. While there is no clear agreement with scholars concerning the meaning of the word, it seems that many of them have come to understand that this word serves as a pause within the songbooks of the Hebrew people. An opportunity to rest, to think, and to even praise. Some teachers have even suggested that this rest was more than a time of silence, but that musical instruments were designated to actually play the rest within that particular psalm. Regardless, it's important for each of us to recognize the need within our own soul to stop, to think, and to rest in the awareness of all that God has done.

I type these words after spending the last couple of days paying close attention to current affairs. News concerning the upcoming election. Questions about Iran, Russia, and terrorism. Hearing the hopes and fears of the future of our nation. Listening to the divisions within our country, our communities, and our churches. The list goes on an on. And somewhere in the middle of the chaos I lift up my eyes, tilt my head to the sky, and I breathe in His goodness. Selah.

I didn't plan it. I didn't schedule time to reflect. In fact, it was probably the most spontaneous thing I've done all week. As if I heard the Lord say "you need to rest." His presence in the moment was breathtaking. In just a few seconds the swirling within me had come to a complete stop. My heart was centered. The anxiety evaporated. In one brief moment I was reminded of just how close our Heavenly Father is to each and every one of us.

A couple of Scriptures had come to mind before that moment. "Be still and know that I am God." A timeless classic when we need to stop with our current activity. The other one, however, came out of the blue. It is a favorite Scripture of mine, but I have never used it in this way. It's when Paul was quoting the pagan authors in what we know as Acts 17. Not only did he quote them, but He verified that what they were saying was true. They just didn't know of WHOM they were speaking. It was before the statue designated to worship the "Unknown God" where the Apostle chose to unload this revelation. Which is a brilliant move in my opinion. This way you cannot associate the One True God with some other form. Standing before this statue (at least that is how I picture it), Paul declares that he wants to help them understand who this unknown God really is. Quoting the authors that many of them have read he describes the God in whom we all "live and move and have our being." This was the verse that came to mind in the midst of my chaos. A reminder. A treasure chest of incredible substance. A pause and praise to the One who holds all things together. Even me. Selah.

This is one of the greatest mysteries of life. An awareness of just how deep our relationship with our Creator has always been. Something that we would do well to remember every day of our lives. Especially now. With all of the divisiveness in our nation. With all of the issues within our churches and our communities. With all of the mudslinging that goes back and forth with each and every topic of conversation. With all of the demonizing that we tend to collaborate with as it relates to those on the other side. Each and Every one of us live and move and have our being in Him. Think about it. Pause and Reflect upon this moment. Embrace the revelation that these words provide. Yes, even the one who thinks differently than you. Even the one who has a different skin color, cultural background, and any other difference that you could throw in front of this path of thinking. WE ALL find our life, our movement, and even our very being in HIM. Selah.

Just takes some time today to reflect upon this amazing truth.
Stop all the noise around you. Maybe even play some soft worship music (instrumental if you have it). And just...selah.
This can be one of the most important things that you do all day. You are worth it.