and take a breath with me
let the going cease
the stillness seep in
Drop
the bags of busyness
come lets do more of less
with you I want to be
Oh, if you would take the time
to hear my heartbeat's rhyme
how together we could sing
You have got to make the choice
will I hear more of your voice
will you hear my melodies
Pains
how you come and go
effects which you don’t know
if you knew you’d change your beat
Oh! If you would take the time
to me your heart incline
find life that’s full and breathes
With you I want to be
with you I want to be
Words and music by Vania Levans.
Listen to the whole song here or here
I went to see another show of my friend Vania's last night, and, now having heard the album a few (dozen) times, there was a different song that struck me last night. Before she sang "A Breath" she told the audience that it was a song she wrote after reflecting on how God feels about us - as if He were singing the song. With that in mind, I listened closely to the words. Really. Go back and re-read it. Or better yet, listen to it. Rarely does a song hit me so squarely between the eyes and awaken something so deep in my heart. I really felt like I heard God's invitation last night...
My life seems so busy all the time. I often feel rushed or choked or suffocated from what I really want to do - to stop and take a breath with God. But the kicker is that I create all that flurry of activity myself. Even this term, where I have deliberately let go of all weekly commitments, still I fill my time with... stuff. Meaningless puttering - some emailing here, some guitar playing there, some chatting with friends, some dishes, some cooking, some reading, some TV, some... some... some... None of these are bad in and of themselves, but time flies by and another day is gone, and another, and then a week, and then a month, and I find myself tired and gasping for air, yet again. I need to learn how to let the stillness seep in. Why is that always such a hard thing to learn to do?
I keep saying I want to hear God's voice, but I never allow myself to be still enough to hear it. Why? Here God is inviting me - HE wants to be with ME. How can I ignore such an invitation?
to me your heart incline
find life that’s full and breathes
6 comments:
Nice lyrics :)
You could meditate :)
Doesn't have to be a whole "ohmmmmmm" chanting session. Or it could be. There's lots of ways to do it. Even a 20 minute a day -no matter what- relaxation session which can be similar to meditation.
Turn off the phone and convince yourself that no matter WHO is calling (or knocking at your door), it can wait 20 minutes. Seriously. Nothing is THAT urgent that it can't wait about 20 minutes! Even, sadly, someone dying.... is your knowing 20 minutes later likely to make a difference? And heck if someone really is dying, you'll be in a better frame of mind to deal with it after you're centered anyway! ;)
Sit or lie down, then close your eyes, listen to floaty music (or ocean tapes, or silence, or whatever does it for you!), take a few slow deep breaths in and out, then take the time to systematically relax each part of your body one by one (from the head down or the feet up).
Then it's up to you... think of somplace you love to be and imagine it in detail for a while and "be" there. Then think of someone(s) you love, real or imaginary, human or pet, and imagine being with them. Really imagine it. Then do the same with God if you'd like. -In that place you love to be or anywhere you choose, real or imaginary.
It may be easier if you start with a tape to guide you. You can make your own or have a friend make one that talks you through each part, including the last parts and anything else you want to add, and times it so it takes exactly 20 minutes. -But then ya gotta actually do it! :D
I think you'd like it. And don't worry if you keep finding that you're thinking about lists of things to do when your relaxation is done, or that you want chinese food, or have laundry to do, or that you have to remember to call so and so when you're done... Just notice that it happened, and (nicely!) tell yourself that all that can WAIT until the end of 20 minutes, and that right now you're doing this instead. Then re-focus on the exercise. -Even if that happens 20 times in the beginning! Eventually your brain will learn :)
(Ok, this was long, but this is "commenting week" and I skipped a few days so there! :P )
What a beautiful song!
Nothing compares to being in God's presence! So wonderful, the warm love and peace He surrounds us with. I feel close to God, when I praise Him. Why is it, that we let life hijack our time? With consistent training, we can get a mindset focused on God. He's patient, keep at it:)
Loved reading this, especially:
None of these are bad in and of themselves, but time flies by and another day is gone, and another, and then a week, and then a month, and I find myself tired and gasping for air, yet again.
Doing this DANIEL Beth Moore study has helped me sit down and be still with God, for sure. The accountability each Monday w/ my friend Kara has been a huge motivator to get the study completed, too.
Be still and know. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful post. Thank you Hillary.
I love those lyrics, too, Hillary. Thanks for tipping me off about your post (on my blog).
I'll have to come back when I'm not so rushed and read abour you car. :)
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