Scroll, scroll, scroll…laugh-out-loud. Scroll, sip, adjust, scroll, “Oh my, look how late it is!” Sound familiar? Lately, I notice my relationship with God is wanting because of the relentless churn.
In a world constantly vying for our attention, where the digital stream never truly ceases, the ancient biblical concept of SELAH and the modern Scandinavian tradition of FIKA offer profound wisdom. Both are invitations to pause.
Consider SELAH, a mysterious word sprinkled throughout the Psalms. It’s widely interpreted among scholars as a musical or liturgical direction – a cue for reflection, a moment to stop and think about it. Imagine selah as the reset button on your spiritual remote control. Like a software update, selah calls us to a spiritual reboot, allowing God’s truth to sink deeper into our hearts. It’s not merely a physical cessation of activity, but a mental and spiritual recalibration.
Psalm 3:2 (the Hebrew) concludes with “Selah,” prompting us to ponder David’s distress and God’s deliverance.
Then there’s FIKA, the beloved Swedish coffee break. Far from a rushed grab-and-go, fika is a deliberate act of community and contemplation. I think of it as spiritual lubrication for life, like oil for a well-oiled machine, running smoothly and preventing burnout. Imagine gathering with our Church family, sharing a warm pastry, laughter intermingling with quiet conversation, gratitude, and prayer. Fika is about connection, presence, and acknowledging the need for respite.
Both selah and fika whisper the same truth: we aren’t designed for perpetual motion. Just as music needs to pause between notes to create harmony, our souls also need intentional moments of stillness. In these pauses, whether in quiet prayer or shared fellowship, we create space for God to speak, for our spirits to be nourished, and for our relationships to flourish.
~ Leah Burnett
Christ Fellowship