The rhythm of the day with God

1st November 2018

NORWICH CATHEDRAL ruth starkin

Ruth Starkings urges us to find a rhythm in our daily lives that is centred on God

 



Recently, I had the pleasure of spending the day at Norwich Cathedral. Whilst we were in the actual Cathedral, every hour, it was time to pause and pray. Through the loud speaker, the Reverend invited everyone to pause and be still, also to join in with the Lord’s Prayer if they chose to
 
Joining in with the rhythm of the Cathedral day was so refreshing. In the middle of whatever we were doing we simply stopped and were still. For me, it was an opportunity to fix my gaze on my God and to thoughtfully pray the Lord’s Prayer
 
It also caused me to consider that I could learn a lot from the rhythm of the Cathedral day, and also receive from it too. For me, life is often so busy, filled with things to do, many of them necessary and fruitful, but it means there is little time for stillness. To include this in my day, I have to be intentional and get up early, whilst the house is still and peaceful!
 
If I want to experience that refreshing rhythm in my usual day, then I need to be intentional about that too. The Bible tells us that Jesus was intentional about spending time with His Father in prayer and that He would often withdraw to quiet places to be in communion with Him
 
So, how do I find that rhythm in the busy-ness and sometimes, what feels like, chaos of my day? To fill up on the presence of God’s Spirit with me and to make sure that is the loudest, clearest voice in my head. I believe it has to come from within; I have to desire that presence and to know, without doubt, that God is always with me
 
‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’ Deuteronomy 31:8
 
I will need to look for God in everything, because He is in everything. God is the Master of all creation, therefore He is all around. There isn’t a single person I meet whom God doesn’t love, so He is near as we gather together. God is in every detail, so He is by my side as I am washing up, packing lunch boxes and then in those more precious moments, such as tucking the children into bed at night. God is constant
 
Inviting God into every part of my day will hopefully lead to the rhythm of the day being more fixed on God’s presence with me. A rhythm of which will bring safety, love, strength, grace and peace
 
The image of Norwich Cathedral is courtesy of Ruth Starkings

this article first appeared on Network Norfolk

 


ruth starkings
 
 
Ruth Starkings is the Family Worker at Meadow Way Chapel in Hellesdon. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day

 


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