Over the course of this summer I’ve talked at length about this idea of Selah, taking time to pause, to stop working, to stop wanting, to stop worrying, to really REST and simply BE in the presence of Jesus.
But how do you do that?
Today I want to share THREE ideas to help you incorporate the spiritual practice of Selah into your life and find rest.
These are just ideas. You can come up with your own ideas. I would encourage you to do what works for you! But here are some things that I do that are helpful to me and I wanted to share them with you!
Number 1: Create a Rule of Life
One way of understanding a Rule of Life is to think of it as a way of organizing your day while being mindful of Jesus. With Jesus at the center.
It may be helpful to think of it this way, many of you have used a budget when it comes to your finances and with a budget, you decide in advance where your money is going to go. You set aside part of your income to give to God, then you set aside some to save for a rainy day, and then you set aside money for expenses like shelter, food, and the list goes on.
The reason a budget works is because you decide ahead of time how you want to spend your money.
What if you did that with your time?
Unlike money, we all have exactly the same amount of time. What if you took time to decide in advance how you want to spend your time? And what if giving time to Jesus first was your goal?
On my personal calendar, I have mapped out every day in gray and I have set aside in advance time to pray, to read scripture, and to lean into other spiritual practices that help me grow as a disciple of Jesus and find rest for my soul.
I don’t always keep it perfectly. And that’s ok. I can always begin again. But deciding ahead of time how I want to order my day with Jesus helps me incorporate a rhythm of Selah into my life. And now, I’m living from a different place.
Number 2: Make Your Smart Phone a Dumb Phone
Ok, this is challenge by choice. You don’t have to do any of this but this has been a game changer for me.
You may think that you own your phone, but what you may not realize is that your phone was designed to own you. It’s intentionally designed to grab your attention and hold your attention for as long as possible. And what happens so often is that we become distracted from what matters most. We’re unable to be present with each other or even with God because there’s always another notification going off or another picture or video we have to see.
For many or us, it’s hard to imagine being detached from our phones! We reach for them hundreds of times a day! And chances are all that time on your phone isn’t helping you become the person you want to become.
So what if you made a radical move to change your relationship with your phone?
Here’s a few ideas… again, these may seem crazy to you but maybe you’ll try them or come up with your own ideas to make sure you’re in charge of your phone and it’s not in charge of you.
First, Clean off as many apps as you can.
Chances are, you don’t need a 1000 apps. What if you could put the 3-5 apps you need on your home screen and the others you occasionally needed on another screen or in a folder you went to only when you needed them? And those you really don’t need, delete.
Second, Turn off notifications for everything except calls and texts.
I know, now this is getting into the, “Are you serious?” category. But the only notifications I get are for phone calls and texts. Any other notifications I’ll see when I go to that app and open it. By doing this, I choose when to check it, it doesn’t choose when it gets to interrupt my day or distract me from what I need to be doing.
Third, Grayscale your phone.
You may not have even known this is possible, but it is. And those super saturated colors are designed to give you a dopamine hit in your brain every time you see them, every time they get to flash at you and tempt you to click your screen. The good news is that it’s super easy to grayscale your phone and then turn the color back on when you really need it.
Fourth, Use your phone only for calls, texts, photos, and GPS.
I know, that sounds crazy, but with only a couple of exceptions, this is primarily what I use my phone for now. And because this is primarily what I use it for, I don’t feel the need to look at it every 30 seconds! It’s freeing!
And last, this may be the most radical idea…
Take email and social media off your phone.
Some of you may have just felt the chills of withdrawal go through your body. I get it. But by only checking email and looking at social media on my computer, it greatly reduces the time I spend on both of those and… back to my rule of life, I have set times for that.
You may or may not be able to do that in your line of work, but even if you can’t I would encourage you to set times for email & for social media. If you have to have it on your phone, you might even consider setting time limits on those apps in your phone.
By setting some limits and making some changes in your relationship with your device, you may discover you have more time to spend with the people you love, and with God, and that with your with them, or with HIM, you’re less distracted and more present!
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find that rest you’ve been searching for.
Number 3: Choose Silence from time to time
Here’s an idea, Take a walk or go for a run without music in your ear. Choose silence.
You can even do this next time you get in the car. Take time during that next drive to wherever you’re going without the radio on. Choose silence. Find a little time in your day, your week, for silence and solitude. For rest. Let your mind wander or even… pray.
The reason this is important is because through time in silence and solitude with God you allow your soul to catch up with your body, you allow God to restore your soul. And… through silence and solitude you are better prepared to be in community. To be with others.
Remember, it’s ok to be bored sometimes, to have nothing to do. To have quiet space in your life. In fact, it may be exactly what you need.
Quiet Time is Time Well Spent
These are just a few ideas of how you might incorporate the spiritual practice of Selah into your life. Here’s the big idea, find time to have quiet time with God.
It may not be easy, I think that’s why Jesus called His way the narrow way. But time alone with God with no agenda, no expectation, no interruptions is where you can be in the light of His presence and experience His goodness.
Jesus once said, “Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest…”
I think if you ask anyone who has accepted this invitation of Jesus they will tell you that this isn’t just the way to a better life, it’s the way to the abundant life Jesus offers.
It’s my prayer that you will discover what so many followers of Jesus have discovered through the centuries, that the God of the universe loves you more than you could imagine and that he desires friendship with you.
2 Books for More
If you’re interested in learning more about these ideas, I want to recommend two books that have been helpful to me.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton
Both have encouraged me in different ways. I pray they will be helpful to you as well along your journey.
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