Shimmering

In recent days a verse from Jeremiah has captivated my attention.  I have heard it said that sometimes something shimmers in the ordinary which is another way of saying that some common thing is calling out to us for special attention.  These things which shimmer often have within them a word from the Spirit.  Jeremiah 6:16 has been shimmering in my view.  It begins with the words, "Stand at the crossroads..."  Standing is not easy for us.  If we are on our feet, we want to be moving.  Standing points to stillness and stillness is not exactly something regarded as virtuous.    

The Word from Jeremiah speaks to our need to pause and wait, to look and to ask before setting out on some course about to be chosen.  The truth is most of us are making up our mind about what we are going to do as we move toward the moment of decision which negates the possibility of standing still at the intersection of some choice.  It is much like being in a conversation and thinking about what we are going to say instead of listening to what the person speaking is saying.  

It may be that where we are in the circumstances of our life is a place where we need to simply stand in stillness for a time.  Being still enables us to hear what we are often too busy to hear and gives us the ability to see things which movement hides from us.  It makes making life giving choices more likely.  When we pause and look and listen, the way forward will not be one of needing to look over our shoulder with regret, but one which can be experienced as the unfolding will of God.