Settling In (All Selah Gathering)
-
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
“Settle In” (transcript)
When I say the words, ‘settle in’ what comes to mind? What images? What feelings do you feel? What memories do you have of a time when you felt settled?
When I was a little girl we would often spend time with my mom’s large step family. It was loud - not just because of the amount of people, but also because their voices carried with laughter and talking over one another. It was always a good time. The Italian family, while fun, was often overwhelming to my 3 year old introverted self. Think ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ The many teens would try to pick me up and carry me around, get tired of holding me and drop me off somewhere. I never knew where I’d land, but I always hoped it wasn’t near one great aunt in particular. I would begin to tire of the chaos, bony hips and not knowing where I’d end up.
Finding my mom, I would crawl up into her lap, pull my feet up so that all of me was in her lap and lay my head on her chest. Soon her heartbeat became the loudest noise in the room. Her heartbeat took center stage as the formerly loud background chaos faded to a distant hum. The steady rhythm was what I would focus on. Suddenly my body would relax - not because the environment changed but because all felt right in my mom’s arms. With the steady rhythm of her heart beating in my ears, I knew I was safe and where I belonged. I was home even though I wasn’t. After a bit, I would again climb down ready to re-enter the chaos, my mom’s heartbeat ringing in my ears. I knew she was near. I also knew there was a space for me when I needed it.
Just like there was a place for me in my mom’s lap. There is a place for us with God.
This is the why of spiritual disciplines, the why of silence and solitude, the why behind what we do at Selah. It’s a way for us to come away from the clamor of our lives, curl up in God’s lap and lay our head on his chest so his heart becomes the loudest in our ears. t’s where he calms our fears, reflects our joy and we reflect his and where he tenderly cares for those things in our heart that may cause us harm. Sometimes it is simply being with him listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat - no words - just being. It’s in the quiet we learn to notice his movements so that in the chaos of everyday life we know he is always near.
He is where we belong and we were created to be with Him. Our place is never taken by another and is always waiting for us.
The problem is our world is noisy and chaotic, full of things that unsettle us and make us forget that there is a place we can live from - even while we’re here - that feels like home. His lap is our home away from home and a place for us to find rest.
In the quiet we learn what has been true all along. He is near and has a place for us - always.
by Wendy Gerdes
