In recent years, more and more people have embraced a return of spiritual practices.[1] Why? To create space, slow down and become quiet - these actions need no other justification.[2] We are so inundated with good works or by life in general, focusing becomes hard, and our priorities become diluted.
By definition, sacred is something connected with God or dedicated to a religious purpose; it is considered holy. A pause creates breathing space by interrupting our busyness; when sacred and pause connects intention and attention, space opens up within for God to work.
In his book, Leadership, Northouse describes a method for adaptive leaders to step out of the brouhaha of a busy day and find perspective amid the challenges called, “Getting on the balcony.” This metaphor gives an allusion to a dance floor; we need to be above the dancing to understand what is going on below; being on the balcony enables us to see the big picture.[3]
A Sacred Pause is a practice that refocuses our “Big Picture,” we are pausing (a deep breath), giving thanks, and praying, which redirects these moments of focus into personal renewal, centering in Christ.
This spiritual practice of A Sacred Pause takes me to uncomfortable places, but they are places to which I must go. It is a pain and such a blessing. Every day at 2:20 pm, my alarm (on my watch and phone) will go off at such inopportune times. How dare it interrupt during a meeting, lunch, driving, talking, engaging in a conversation, or even (Heaven forbid) during a nap. Yet, there is no substitute to a vital behavior we all need in our lives - to “pause,” give thanks and pray to the one that gives it all.
[1] Such as: hospitality, living gratefully, service/justice, savoring beauty, nature, pilgrimages, forgiveness, suffering, art, mindfulness, journaling, simplicity, wonder, quiet.
[2] Yamasaki, April. Sacred Pauses. Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2013. (Loc. 565 of 2633)
[3] Northouse, Peter G. Leadership: Theory and Practice, 7th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage, 2016. (263)
By definition, sacred is something connected with God or dedicated to a religious purpose; it is considered holy. A pause creates breathing space by interrupting our busyness; when sacred and pause connects intention and attention, space opens up within for God to work.
In his book, Leadership, Northouse describes a method for adaptive leaders to step out of the brouhaha of a busy day and find perspective amid the challenges called, “Getting on the balcony.” This metaphor gives an allusion to a dance floor; we need to be above the dancing to understand what is going on below; being on the balcony enables us to see the big picture.[3]
A Sacred Pause is a practice that refocuses our “Big Picture,” we are pausing (a deep breath), giving thanks, and praying, which redirects these moments of focus into personal renewal, centering in Christ.
This spiritual practice of A Sacred Pause takes me to uncomfortable places, but they are places to which I must go. It is a pain and such a blessing. Every day at 2:20 pm, my alarm (on my watch and phone) will go off at such inopportune times. How dare it interrupt during a meeting, lunch, driving, talking, engaging in a conversation, or even (Heaven forbid) during a nap. Yet, there is no substitute to a vital behavior we all need in our lives - to “pause,” give thanks and pray to the one that gives it all.
[1] Such as: hospitality, living gratefully, service/justice, savoring beauty, nature, pilgrimages, forgiveness, suffering, art, mindfulness, journaling, simplicity, wonder, quiet.
[2] Yamasaki, April. Sacred Pauses. Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2013. (Loc. 565 of 2633)
[3] Northouse, Peter G. Leadership: Theory and Practice, 7th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage, 2016. (263)
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