Mother’s Union Devotion Wednesday 13th October 2021

⁵ For God alone my soul waits in silence,

   for my hope is from him.

⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,

   my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

⁷ On God rests my deliverance and my honour;

   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people;

   pour out your heart before him;

   God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62. 5-8

I wonder what a refuge means to you.

A place of safety, an escape from danger, a lay-by on the side of the road where we can wait for the breakdown service. Somewhere we are not particularly comfortable but will do the job for now.

A place of safety for the victims of domestic abuse, somewhere temporary with minimum levels of comfort and the ever present danger lurking just outside the walls where your abuser may appear at any moment.

Or is a refuge somewhere much more comfortable.

A walk alone on your favourite isolated beach, hilltop or woodland path where the modern world of worries and panic can be forgotten.

Your home, where you can shut the door on the world, settle yourself in your favourite chair with a warm mug of coffee and feel at peace.

The company of good friends and family who are able to restore your faith in humanity, love you into a renewed sense of self-worth, give you hope for the future.

Because I would like to think that this is exactly what the psalmist had in mind when they wrote that God is a refuge for us. That in God, we find ourselves able to relax, shake off the worries and fears of our lives, to feel completely safe and protected. To feel well and truly at home. In God we have a friend who will listen, love and comfort us.

In God we find someone who will give us the time and space to unpack all that is threatening us. Time and space to pour out our hearts. Time and space to calm down. Time and space to become ourselves again. Time and space to re-centre our spirits so that they are open to listen and hear the still small voice of God.

The psalmist recognises that we don’t find God in the busyness, in the stresses, strains and fears of life, in the assaults on our lives. But that we find God when our souls sit still in silence waiting. Waiting for the voice of the One who brings us hope, peace and a place of permanent refuge.

With all my love and prayers

Revd Sandra