When I was a kid, I was known for not being able to sit for any length of time and be quiet or still. I think this is the case for most children. Children need something to do with their hands and minds, and when there is too much quiet time, it drives them crazy. This is why in the average Sunday school class, the teacher not only talks and tells a story, but often does so with pictures. Then that leads to drawing, coloring or cutting and pasting.
As someone who passed the 50-year mark of my journey in life a few years ago, I still struggle with being completely still. Many studies show that people's attention spans, in general, are not as long as they used to be. I also discovered late in life that I have Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). After I was diagnosed with this, many lights came on as to why I had struggled many times to give my full attention to certain things.
When I look at the holy scriptures, I see why it's essential to try to have a quiet soul during specific periods in life. For instance, having a quiet soul helps us live out the words of James 1:19: "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." Another scripture that speaks to having a quiet soul is Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!"
A person who is a believer in Jesus should watch what he or she says. If we give into emotions and speak impulsively, we will most likely live to regret it. And we will have to live with the consequences. I've endured this myself and learned the hard way. It's amazing how my attitude changed after I faced those consequences.
James 1 is talking about the individual's anger coming under control and therefore our learning to be quiet and spend more time listening. The passage refers to the individual. Psalm 46 refers to the corporate community. Universally we can be still to realize that God is in control and owns everything.
As we practice being quiet in our souls, this helps us address the issues that we individuals struggle with and issues that we as nations and communities struggle with.
This is one reason I appreciate healing circles, which are part of the restorative justice method used in some Indigenous communities. In these circles, the person who committed the crime admits his or her guilt, and then the elders talk about what they feel this person needs to do to bring restitution to the victim(s) and the community.
Many say this is more effective in dealing with a crime where many people benefit from these restorative justice measures. They say that when a person goes to prison for his or her crime, the person receives a punishment, but doesn't have to face the victim(s) and give back according to what he or she has done. The victim's family still suffers, and the family of the person who committed the crime suffers because they don't have this family member around.
We need to work more at being still and quiet and letting God run the nations. Being still is about more than simply not talking. It's about being calm in your heart and mind. This is where healing to our hearts and the circumstances we often find ourselves in can align with the nature of God, our heavenly Father.
When I was a child, I had excuses for not being still. Why? Because it takes time to learn what to say and not to say in private and public situations. Yet, now as an adult with ADHD, I have fewer excuses for this attitude and behaviour. It's hard to control nations, but we can see some improvements if we start with ourselves. One way to help heal our broken hearts is to focus more on God and less on ourselves.
Parry Stelter is originally from Alexander First Nation, part of Treaty Six Territory. He is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and workshop facilitator. He is also a doctoral candidate in Contextual Leadership. Visit his website at http:/www.wordofhopeministries.ca.
