Quiet Time and Sacred Space
by David Trementozzi on May 25, 2020“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
A lifestyle of distraction is not learned in a day and neither is reversing its trend. While such progress may only seem like insignificant baby steps—30-second prayers, 60 seconds of stillness, or short walks unplugged from technology—we must be persistent because freedom will eventually come. But, how can we stay motivated for a freedom we haven’t yet experienced? We need a foretaste.
We need to experience what freedom from distraction feels like. Somehow, we need to taste that which we will later feast upon. Even the briefest encounter with God’s peace and contentment can spark a growing desire to free up time and space for longer moments. God has made a way for such encounters—Sabbath.
While we believe that any day or moment is an opportunity to meet with God, there is something to be said about planned meetings. Most of us have jobs and daily responsibilities that don’t lend themselves to frequent times of quiet waiting on God. This is why a scheduled Sabbath is so important—one day in seven to pause from our distractions to simply listen and wait on God. On this consecrated day, we practice the discipline of focused listening so we can truly be still and know He is God. (Psalm 46:10) Sabbath obedience can teach us three practical lessons that are able to revolutionize our relationship with God.
First, Sabbath teaches us peace. It opens us up to sacred time and holy space that God fills with his presence. While physical rest is a part of Sabbath, its purpose is better understood as peace (shalom)—a deep centering peace that comes from being in God’s presence. Such peace is not possible when we are bound by distractions.
Second, Sabbath teaches us to trust God. It is a powerful way of exposing our learned practice of trying to meet our needs with people and things. It forces us—even if just for a day—to look not to them but God. Therefore, when we practice Sabbath, we visibly remind ourselves that God is our source.
Third, Sabbath teaches us how to grow. Sabbath is a way of life for those who know that Christian growth does not happen by accident, rather, it must be intentional, and it must be planned. Just like our baby steps, so too does Sabbath teach us how to be quiet, listen, and wait on God. Sabbath will rarely feel convenient, but we practice it anyway as a declaration that our lives belong to God, not us. If we are patient in this discipline, soon we realize how often He is willing to meet with those who are earnest to meet with Him!
* Adapted and used with permission from DesperateForGod.com.
David Trementozzi
back“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
A lifestyle of distraction is not learned in a day and neither is reversing its trend. While such progress may only seem like insignificant baby steps—30-second prayers, 60 seconds of stillness, or short walks unplugged from technology—we must be persistent because freedom will eventually come. But, how can we stay motivated for a freedom we haven’t yet experienced? We need a foretaste.
We need to experience what freedom from distraction feels like. Somehow, we need to taste that which we will later feast upon. Even the briefest encounter with God’s peace and contentment can spark a growing desire to free up time and space for longer moments. God has made a way for such encounters—Sabbath.
While we believe that any day or moment is an opportunity to meet with God, there is something to be said about planned meetings. Most of us have jobs and daily responsibilities that don’t lend themselves to frequent times of quiet waiting on God. This is why a scheduled Sabbath is so important—one day in seven to pause from our distractions to simply listen and wait on God. On this consecrated day, we practice the discipline of focused listening so we can truly be still and know He is God. (Psalm 46:10) Sabbath obedience can teach us three practical lessons that are able to revolutionize our relationship with God.
First, Sabbath teaches us peace. It opens us up to sacred time and holy space that God fills with his presence. While physical rest is a part of Sabbath, its purpose is better understood as peace (shalom)—a deep centering peace that comes from being in God’s presence. Such peace is not possible when we are bound by distractions.
Second, Sabbath teaches us to trust God. It is a powerful way of exposing our learned practice of trying to meet our needs with people and things. It forces us—even if just for a day—to look not to them but God. Therefore, when we practice Sabbath, we visibly remind ourselves that God is our source.
Third, Sabbath teaches us how to grow. Sabbath is a way of life for those who know that Christian growth does not happen by accident, rather, it must be intentional, and it must be planned. Just like our baby steps, so too does Sabbath teach us how to be quiet, listen, and wait on God. Sabbath will rarely feel convenient, but we practice it anyway as a declaration that our lives belong to God, not us. If we are patient in this discipline, soon we realize how often He is willing to meet with those who are earnest to meet with Him!
* Adapted and used with permission from DesperateForGod.com.
David Trementozzi
