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From the Pastor
Stop. Breathe. Listen.
It’s been a wild few years, with all the events swirling through our country and world. The non-stop news and noise about it all only add to the swirl. And that’s all happening on top of our own regular, busy lives.
Dag Hammarskjold was the Secretary general of the United Nations in the early 1960’s. The world widely respected this Swedish diplomat for his intelligence, wisdom, humility and ability to bring clarity and calm even to viciously swirling events.
People often asked him how he managed to do so much. His answer in effect was that he regularly did nothing. That is, he STOPPED. The more things swirled, the more he took whatever moments he could find to stop: to go for a short walk in the woods; to read something unrelated to all the events that demanded so much from him; or by listening to some music.
Stopping let Hammarskjold BREATHE. Breathing is staying aware of the beauty and goodness that is around us. Breathing gives us footing for the swirls that catch us. Breathing in the beauty of the woods even on a short stroll, reading and listening to his favorite music helped Hammarskjold stay steady.
Hammarskjold also LISTENED. When things swirl and their noise is loud, don’t we want to hear God’s voice speaking hope, peace and steady guidance? About that, he wrote, “How can you expect to keep your powers of hearing if you yourself never want to listen? That God should have time for you, you seem to take as much for granted as that you cannot have time for him.” Listen. You will hear that voice. It is often still and small to be sure. And yet it is clear. It will speak peace to you.
Stop. Breathe. Listen.
Pastor Will Mowchan
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