At the “Beach” Any Time
We can find calmness when we retreat to that inner self where Christ resides.
A couple of months ago, I was sitting on a beach taking in the view of the beautiful sand and water. It was a serene moment. Calm. Peaceful. For a few short hours, I didn't have to think about any worries or problems. I felt at peace. At some point in time, however, that moment ended. Not long after, my wife and I boarded a plane and headed back to reality.
Although the vacation was over, I realized that I don't have to wait for the next one to find peace and calmness. I can find it inside of me where Christ lives (see Gal. 2:22). Through prayer, meditation, and contemplation, I can retreat from this busy and hectic world even for a little while and find solace. I don't have to book a flight and find a resort to stay in. I don't have to travel far. I don't need the sand or the water. I have all I need right now in Christ to find peace each and every day.
I can find it in the midst of a busy subway car. I can find it in the waiting room of a clinic. I can find it inside my car in the middle of a traffic jam. I can find it when I'm in line at the grocery store. I can find it in the middle of an exam. At any time, I can retreat inward even for just a little while and find peace and comfort from Christ. Though my environment may be crazy and hectic on the outside, my inner self doesn't have to be.
Paul gave this encouragement to the believers in Corinth: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor. 4:16 ESV). All the things around us could be in chaos. Deadlines to meet. Problems to solve. Expectations to fulfill. Conflicts to resolve. Our outer selves could be wasting away with every demand of life. But with Christ, "our inner self is being renewed day by day." We can find calmness when we retreat to that inner self where Christ resides. A moment in quiet prayer, meditation, or contemplation is like a quick trip to the beach. And it's available to us at any time if we want it.
When life gets hectic or frustrating or complicated, give yourself a moment. Give yourself a breather. Take a quick trip to the "beach"—that inner place where you can meet Christ and find the peace that transcends all understanding (see Phil. 4:7).
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
