21 March 2014

still in the marketplace

"Be still and acknowledge that I am God" 
(Psalm 46:10).  
These are words to take with us 
in our busy lives.  
We may think about stillness 
in contrast to our noisy world.  
But perhaps we can go further 
and keep an inner stillness 
even while we carry on business, 
teach, work in construction, 
make music, or organise meetings.

It is important to keep a still place 
in the "marketplace."  
This still place
 is where God can dwell 
and speak to us.  
It also is the place from where 
we can speak in a healing way 
to all the people we meet in our busy days. 
Without that still space we start spinning.  
We become driven people, running all over the place 
without much direction.  
But with that stillness 
God can be our gentle guide 
in everything we think, say, or do.
Henri Nouwen

This was a street side market
in Kampala, Uganda
November 2007

colours bright, voices loud
all seemed a bit chaotic
and I thought
but Lord, you've transformed me
from urban
to a quiet country girl
would you then place me back
in the crowds?

I am unsure 
of what Malawi
will bring
but find hope, peace
and challenge
in Henri's words
to learn to carry
the stillness
with me
in me, always

Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
in the still place with Sandy

 

4 comments:

Denise said...

Praying for you.

elizabeth said...

God is speaking to me everywhere about a mind at peace and rest! Thank you for being another voice for Him!

Lyli @3-D Lessons for Life said...

This is lovely! Thanks for sharing that Nouwen quote with us. That verse in Psalms 46 has been on my heart all week. :)

caryjo said...

It looked like "home" to me!!! And when you mentioned that it WAS in Kampala, all I could do was scream with rejoicing. Oh, what a treat!!! Thank you.