“Come and find the quiet center
In the crowded life we lead.
Find the room for love to enter.
Find the frame where we are freed.
Clear the chaos and the clutter,
Clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter.
Be at peace and simply be.” (Come and the Find Quiet Center, Murray)
This is one of my favorite Christian songs. After almost three months of college, I’m appreciating it more than I ever thought possible. In high school, I was always busy, but I wasn’t rushed. Life wasn’t a continuous list of appointments that blur together. I’m grateful to have so many great things to be involved in. I’m blessed with the time to do them. No lie.
But the problem with tight schedules is that God doesn’t work on a schedule. I’m guessing Moses didn’t expect any supernatural foliage when he woke up that morning. Maybe Jonah planned on sleeping in that morning. Heck, Jesus asked God to reconsider the task He had for him. As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” Just replace ‘life’ with ‘God’ and you get the picture.
I’m not suggesting you throw away your day planner. I don’t think I could survive without mine! I’m only saying to find the time each day for God. I’d be ecstatic for any tips if you’ve figured out how. In a perfect world, God would be the first thing we schedule and then everything else comes after that. However, the registrar disagrees with us. A few nights ago, I was on my way to a meeting, but I stopped walking when I saw how beautiful the moon was. I breathed; I smiled. I took in the night air. It was the holiest experience I’d had in weeks.
I think in college it’s especially important to keep an ear out for God. No, He doesn’t summon to Nineveh everyday, but it can be small stuff too. In the midst of the wild parties and the textbooks and the dangit-I-forgot-my-keys, sometimes I forget to even breath. When your brain’s spinning, you can’t see straight; how are you supposed to see God?
Remember Christ is in everyone. Remember God breathed quiet breath into you. Remember that the towels don’t have to be folded that fast. There is time. There is time. There is time. Lean back in your chair. Go ahead now. Close your eyes and listen. I don’t care if you’re about to be late to pick up the kids or if the phone is ringing. Close your eyes. Breath deeply. Listen.
…
God is patient. He’s waiting to be noticed in the stillness. Let’s pray He’ll be our quiet center.
