There is a stillness as I write this. The gentle trade winds that usually float through the evening air are noticeably missing. It’s as if all of life is holding its breath. Waiting. Just Waiting.
Some call it the calm before the storm. Some call it an ominous happenstance. Some hold their breath too. And wait.
Can you feel it? Something’s coming.
The future is synonymous with mystery. No one knows what it holds. No one truly knows the effects of their actions – until it is brought into the present. I’m reminded of the “butterfly effect” so often referred to in movies as common place scientific thought. What I do know is that my actions now affect my future. My decision to act or not to act chooses my next path. My choice to be or not to be affects my future generations. There really is no avoiding it, for the path to the future must go through the present.
So what of this ominous storm that is brewing? Will I let it fester me and bring me to worry? Am I prepared? Do I have food and shelter? What about my family? Will they be all right in the storm? How long will the storm last? Will there be casualties? What will I do?
…OR, will I simply leave it in the hands of the one who creates it. Urging me to trust that all is well. Who is to say that it is a storm coming? Why does stillness bring about uncertainty? and why to we tend to expect the worst in a situation? For many of us, we can chalk it up to experience. We’ve felt the stillness before and what followed was chaos and disorder. The storm unleashed. What we forget is that stillness can also bring peace. A chance to pause from our everyday chaos and disorder. A chance to just sit and be.
I challenge you to try something different the next time you feel the world holding its breath, waiting for uncertainty. Don’t get caught up in it. Release the breath you’re tempted to hold, and continue to breathe at a slower pace. Embrace the stillness, releasing the chaos in your mind. Don’t question why it’s there, rather be thankful, be joyful, and just be.
Allow yourself to be still. Trust in what’s to come.
And all will be well.
Aloha,
Jenn
Here are some verses to help you understand your stillness:
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! – Psalm 37:7
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” – Isaiah 41:10-13
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11
