How does stillness come from movement? How do you find silence in the midst of noise? I don't understand how but I can testify that it does happen.
When I run or ride, I find peace. My life involves noise...lots of it. Noise can be unwanted, loud and too much information. Some days there is so much noise it literally makes me ill (did you know the latin roots of the word are the same as the word nausea?). I want to just stop and find a quiet place to sit. I want to hear nothing for just a few minutes. I want to rest.
I end up on my bike and I'm not sure how I got there. All I know is that I'm pedaling, avoiding cars, raising my heart rate, wind roaring in my ears (it is Oklahoma after all) and then I find it...peace. My mind starts to clear, I settle into a rhythm on the pedals and my heart slows down. Some days I hear nothing and just stare off into a landscape that was never beautiful until I discovered it on a bicycle. Other days I fall in love with the sounds of the bike; wheels in the wind, cassette as I shift gears or just the steady spin of the chain. Yes, I have even found song rising in my heart and actually escaping my mouth (and yes I look around self-consciously as if a theater of people were suddenly riding along next to me). On all of these days I find myself in a sweet communion with all that matters and I know He is pleased. I return to work or home or where ever and am better for it. The people I am around are better for it.
How does this happen?
I still don't know. I guess I'll have to go for another ride and see if I can figure it out.
