Still

"Leisure is not the inevitable result of spare time, a holiday, a weekend or a vacation. It is, in the first place, an attitude of mind, a condition of the soul... Leisure implies... an attitude of nonactivity, of inward calm, of silence, it means not being "busy", but letting things happen. Leisure is a form of silence, of that silence which is the prerequisite of the apprehension of reality: only the silent hear and those who do not remain silent do not hear. Silence, as it is used in this context, does not mean "dumbness" or "noiselessness"; it means more nearly that the soul's power to "answer" to the reality of the world is left undisturbed. For leisure is a receptive attitude of mind, a contemplative attitude, and it is not only the occasion but also the capacity for steeping oneself in the whole of creation...
Leisure is not the attitude of mind of those who actively intervene, but of those who are open to everything; not of those who grab and grab hold, but of those who leave the reins loose and who are free and easy themselves - almost like someone falling asleep, for one can only fall asleep by "letting oneself go." ... When we really let our minds rest contemplatively on a rose in bud, on a child at play, on a divine mystery, we are rested and quickened as though by a dreamless sleep... It is in these times visited by an awareness of what holds the world together."
(Piper, The Basis of Culture)

The misconception of leisure we have is that we will be still when we have a lack of activity. In this fast pace world one is made to feel unproductive in times of inactivity. In fact, that what I feel if I don't pack my schedule with tasks. Whatever happened to "stop and smell the roses"? Especially in Toronto, in the mist of a January thaw with the temperatures in the teens. Enjoy the weather. I realized that I had not set time a set for leisure and an attitude of stillness for a long time until last Sunday at Niagara. An afternoon to enjoy the awesome powers of the Falls, the running around in snow, and to slip n slide on the ice covered sidewalks.

An attitude of stillness. A time to seek God's word, to seek His presence. Even on busy days fill with ministry, school, family and work, we need to make space for God. For the past week, even if I have 8:30a morning classes, I will set 30min aside in stillness in reading, reflecting, writing and praying. Let see what God wants to say to me.

Matt 11:28-30
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Jesus did say that His yoke is easy. So when ever we feel that His yoke is stressing us out, then we are not wearing His yoke properly.