March 1, 2023

 

 

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

 

Well, I guess I'm in it now! It's the second week of Lent and I am still writing. Can I make a confession? We're close and I trust you can handle it. Centering Down is HARD!

 

It requires me to do something that seems so simple and yet is so challenging. That something is to: BE SILENT. Maybe I am the only one or perhaps it's environmental but there is always noise. The television is on although I am not watching. The iPad is usually broadcasting audio from a meeting and let's not mention the phone. Yes, the Android that I still own. Noise is intentionally everywhere all the time. Even when sleeping, there is the sound of rain that plays all night.

Yet, researchers warn against the need for "white noise". They suggest that in addition to serving as a distraction from unpleasant emotions and thoughts, the lack of silence is harmful to our mental and physical health. God, in the book of Habakkuk, indicates even our spiritual health suffers. 

 

Habakkuk's life was noisy as well. Sounds of violence, idol worship, injustice, and usury. Perhaps the loudest noise came from within his own thoughts. How long, Lord? When, Lord? Why, Lord? How, Lord? In verse 20 of chapter 2, God replies and says "The Lord is in His holy Temple. Let ALL the earth be silent before Him." The Hebrew word for silent is translated HUSH! Lord if I've heard it once, I've heard it a million times growing up. It meant stop at once. God is where God has always been and will always be. But the prophet would not be able to hear until he practiced active silence.

 

What do you need to HUSH in your life that you might be able to Center Down and hear Christ? Practice with me. Set the timer on your phone for 5 minutes and HUSH! Tell me what you hear, and I'll tell you what I hear next week.

 

Lord, help us to be still and know that you are God! This my prayer, Amen.

 

Centering Down,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson

Senior Pastor