Selah

For the longest time, I didn’t know what the term Selah meant after selected verses in the Bible. Then I researched to find out that after various content or phrases, there are purposeful pauses. I love those last two words…’purposeful pauses’. This is where readers, or in the case of music, the performers and listeners can purposefully pause and reflect on what was spoken, read or played.

These instances can occur for the participant, active or passive, in whether you are reading the Bible, and contrastingly, moments when you are present and gathered up in any form of art, music, poetry or literature. During these secular and sacred times, God can speak or act to reveal to us exactly who He is, if we will just pause and allow ourselves to experience Him in the fullness of consciousness.

Kairos also resides here, my friends. Maybe you will remember a recent article that focused on the Kairos incidents of our lives. As a refresher, AI puts it this way, “Kairos moments are special moments when God interrupts routine and touches people deeply. The word Kairos is a Greek term that means, ‘appointed time for a special purpose.’”

Back to Selah. I remember attending a number of Catholic masses through the years. Mostly in helping to conduct funeral services of parishioners who were members of a particular parish. After the priest finished the homily, he returned to his seat and there was an intentional pause before continuing to The Eucharist or Holy Communion. As AI indicates, “After the homily in a Catholic Church, the priest sits down to demonstrate receptivity and attentive listening.” This is an excellent example in the church where silence and reflection are encouraged and the message is allowed to settle in and resonate among listeners. Selah.

I don’t know about you but I love music! If you have ever attended a symphonic, orchestral or choral concert, maybe you have experienced times during the course of a concerto, requiem, or symphony that utilizes instrumental, choral or stringed instruments with often noticeable pauses between movements. Why are these included? Maybe it gives the musicians time to flip the page and take a breather, or a chance for the maestro to wipe his brow. However, maybe they are intended to allow the audience to feel something. There is something about music that completely transcends languages and cultures in uniting our hearts in something greater. Some may even express a spiritual---meditative nature after listening to everyone playing their respective roles or parts. When the notes, harmonies and blends are combined together with time to reflect, a byproduct can be an emotional response. Selah.

What does nature do to you? Have you ever been captivated by natural occurrences that appear…like say the Northern Lights? I thought this phenomenon was for the privileged ‘up-northers’. However, within the last few months down-state in Michigan, refractory illumination of atmospheric gases has brought many to the realization of pure awe.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. As the tree/plant auxins that regulate growth are now sealed off from entering the leaf stem, the vibrancy of color begins their triumphant display. This brilliance is admired and anticipated as the weather begins to change and the bucks start looking for does. The pigskins continue flying and the days begin to wane. Hot chocolate, spiced cider and donuts, fireside chats and a warm blanket with a good book…all make us gratefully pause and says thanks to our Creator for His goodness and kindnesses to us.

When the Hunter Constellation Orion makes it return in the fall, he is directly above our home in the evening and early morning sky. I am captivated by the three closely held stars in his belt that signify unity and strength. Taking moments to pause in the quiet and stillness, I thank the One who was responsible to name each one and identified their placement. This is true of the Hunter and the entirety of the starry host for us to admire as well. Check out the one that looks like a house and his close neighbor the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades. The grandeur and magnificence of God is amazing!

I hope all of us take time often to ponder and take in our very existence on this earth. It is pure joy when we truly immerse ourselves in the beauty of who we are and reflect on the wonder of the world around us. These are Selah moments before the Lord.

In Matthew Chapter 6 MSG, Jesus describes the lilies of the field, “…walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?” And later, “If God gives attention to the appearance of wildflowers---most of which are never ever seen---don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?”

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV

There you have it. We will never comprehend the length and breadth of God’s love for us and our response in gratitude and love toward the Supreme Architect of the Universe is Selah.