Yesterday, my wife was not feeling well. When I wrapped up things after the services at church, I headed home. I stopped and picked up some lunch for the two of us along the way and continued my journey to the house. But along the way, I encountered the worst traffic I have encountered in quite some time. The interruption to my plan was frustrating. The normal 25 minute trip home became a 45 minute experience in waiting.
It was a reminder that I don’t like waiting. I am sure many of you share my disdain. But as I sat waiting to inch up in the line, I was reminded that so often, following Jesus requires waiting.
In the last post, we began thinking about the restoration of our souls. As I said in that post, we do not bring the restoration but we must do our part – we must make ourselves available. Often, waiting is a part of that. We must be intentional to take time to make moments with Jesus. This, more times than not, is facilitated by slowing down and being still.
What I find when I sit still, is that even though my body is inactive, my mind continues to race. Being still physically does not mean that we are being still before the Father. We need to learn to still our thoughts and minds. I have found the use of breath prayers to be helpful in this effort.
One such prayer has historically been called The Jesus Prayer. There are different variations of this prayer but most carry the same thought: “Lord Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner.” The practice involves repeating this prayer in rhythm with your breathing – praying the first half of the prayer as you breathe in and the second half of the prayer as you exhale.
What I have found is that taking time to focus my thoughts on Jesus and be still has led to more meaningful time in scripture reading, prayer and listening. I encourage you to give it a try.
Set aside 15 minutes today to simply be still and wait on the Lord. Even brief moments in time can be powerful tools for Jesus to do His work in you. I often say, we take moments to spend with Jesus and as we do this regularly, habits are formed. It is through these habits that Jesus shapes and forms us.
Take time to be still today.
Clay in the Hands 
I have a shorter sentence prayer for moments throughout the day. “Lord, make me conscious of your presence.”
Sadly, it’s so easy to fill mind and all my moments so that I forget even that prayer. Thanks for the encouragement and the method to truly “Be still.”