be still my soul...

In our conect-a-thon world, we've got this mentality that we always need to be plugged in. Not doing so, we sometimes begin to feel anxious, like something is wrong. Surfing the net, facebook, cell phone texting, watching the Office...or work or getting together with friends for sports activities or for a coffee chat or community group...

Don't get me wrong, community is fundamentally important to this life we live, but it can also become an idol along with all other sorts of electronic means of "plugging in" that exist in our society nowadays.

Tim Keller makes the point that an idol is something that serves a good purpose, it can be a good thing, but it becomes elevated to being an ultimate thing. I think we should remember this.

One of the greatest ways, I think as Scripture teaches, and Christ often did himself, is to remove oneself from the world, go to a solitary place, and just have time to be with Jesus.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11 NIV

This Scripture gives us the image of God as a Mighty Fortress. When we attempt to be still before the throne, with the King, we can picture ourselves doing so protected and surrounded by a mighty fortress. This will hopefully help block out all the "plugging in" temptations that battle for our attention.

How could a soul in solitude with Jesus not be renewing?