After reading Beverly Wittler’s column in the October 28 edition of the Henry County Times, I began to think about my calm places and calm times. To be perfectly honest, it seems to be difficult to find a calm zone in today’s world of pandemics, politics, civil unrest, crime, restricted social events, and more. I could to enjoy and find some calmness by eating out with friends, gathering at one of their homes for a cookout and fellowship, being very involved in church activities, wandering around the McDonough Square shops and restaurants, going to the grocery store, visiting the libraries to browse for books and sit in the comfy room and do some reading … now, that’s just not possible for me. So, where is my calm place?
The most obvious one is books. My Kindle is bursting at the digital seams due to my out-of-control COVID purchasing. But, as many of you will understand, a good book will transport you out of this crazy world to some other place. I also find a lot of calm in music. Either on the radio, Sirius XM, my iPhone downloads, or by my own time at the piano, guitar, or violin. Or I’ll just belt out some songs in the shower or driving around town (with windows rolled up … and you are welcome, McDonough).
The place and times that I can find the best calm from the chaos of the world and my mind is in my recliner or at my desk reading some scripture or other Christian non-fiction. Studying for a sermon or for my blog/social media. In a quiet room with some quiet music playing or not, just so there are no distractions to hear God speaking to me. Later in the evening when my family has gone to bed and the house is quiet is the perfect time for me to calm down with scripture and prayers. I also will withdraw to my study during the afternoon to relax, breathe, and not watch the news or any television.
My watch keeps track of my heart rate and I’ve found that during the day, my rate stays rather elevated, but once the evening comes and I can find my calm places inward and outward, it slows down almost to a crawl. My mind recalls the scripture found in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am GOD.”
Until we can find that place of pure calm which can only be found in God, there will always be a degree of turmoil in our minds and lives. You can go to church all the time, but without that calm spot where you can hear and feel God directing you … loving you…holding you … rescuing you, there will be turmoil in your life. You can read the Bible and all the Christian books you want, but without that calm spot of your heart and soul being in God’s presence, what you are reading will not set into your mind.
People in this time of national and world distress are anxious, sad, depressed, and agitated. Grumpy, impatient, and easily irritated. I promise you that God will help you deal with these emotions. I can sense it within myself when I stay close to Him. Close to Him by my words, actions, and life. God is the only real Hope that we have these days and I really encourage you to, “draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.
Jimmy Cochran is a resident of McDonough, a musician, a minister and the author of Being God’s and Staying God’s, both available at Amazon.com. Being God’s is also available at Moye’s Pharmacy in McDonough.
