The Sacred Pause: Making Room for God's Presence

I savor early mornings and my time reading God’s word and talking with Him before beginning the preparations for the day ahead. It never fails that God will give me a word to contemplate. My word from God lately has been “pause”. 

I often remind my students that pausing gives them a moment to breathe, remember they are safe and loved, and find the courage to do hard things. Lately, I’ve been wondering how often I need that same reminder. How often do I rush through my day, react to unexpected circumstances, or allow distractions to crowd out the quiet reassurance of God’s presence? Perhaps God is inviting me to practice what I so often encourage in others. 

My prayers lately have reflected a longing to pause more often throughout the day. I want to slow down long enough to notice the beauty and magnificence of God's creation, to marvel at His creativity and power, and to recognize His kindness in the ordinary moments I might otherwise overlook. I want to see the evidence of His fingerprints on the world around me.

But pausing is about more than simply slowing my pace. It is also about quieting the noise within me. When I set aside distracting thoughts and intentionally open my Bible, pray through Scripture, and ask God to make me more aware of His presence, I create space to listen. God is not distant or reluctant to draw near. Sometimes, I simply need to become still enough to recognize that He is already there.

I've discovered that an early morning pause can set the tone for the entire day. Before the preparations, decisions, and responsibilities begin, I find acceptance, guidance, and reassurance in God's presence. I am reminded that I do not have to navigate the day in my own strength.

And when I pause later in the day—even for a few quiet moments during lunch—I have another opportunity to realign my heart with His. I can surrender my plans, examine my intentions, and ask Him to shape my thoughts and actions so that my life reflects His character. Pausing becomes more than a moment of rest; it becomes an invitation to let God continue His work in me.

But what makes it possible for us to approach God so freely? It is not because we have everything figured out, have responded perfectly to every situation, or have somehow earned His favor. It is because He invites us to come. 

Consider Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

When I read these words, I imagine God standing before me with His arms wide open, welcoming me to run into them. I don't have to clean up my thoughts, rehearse the right words, or pretend that everything is fine before I come to Him. He welcomes my honest prayers—my questions, my ramblings, and even my rantings. God is not in a hurry to move on to something more important. He makes room for me. 

In His presence, I find a gentle correction when I have missed the mark or responded in a way that does not reflect the heart of Christ. God does not ask me to ignore my mistakes, but He does not define me by them either. His correction invites me to grow, while His love reminds me that I am still His.

As I learn to trust Him, I am also learning that obedience is not about having every answer or understanding every turn in the road. It is about believing that the One who leads me is wiser than I am and that His purposes can be trusted even when I cannot see the whole picture.

It is in these moments of sacred pause that I am learning to walk more closely with my loving Heavenly Father. I am reminded that a misstep does not have to become a final destination. When I stumble, God offers grace to help me get back up, learn from my mistakes, and continue walking in the direction He leads.

Pausing also helps me release my expectations when life takes an unexpected turn. Rather than immediately reacting with frustration or fear, I can take a breath, bring my concerns to God, and remember that my future rests in His hands. The God who sent Jesus to give me life, hope, and a future is the same God who meets me in the uncertainties of today.

Perhaps the invitation to pause is not simply an invitation to slow down. Perhaps it is an invitation to remember who God is, who I am in Him, and where my help comes from.

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT

What might change in your day if you paused long enough to recognize God's presence before responding to the demands, disappointments, and unexpected turns of life?

Where in your life might God be inviting you to pause? Is there a relationship that requires more patience, a decision that needs prayerful consideration, or a situation in which your emotions are more likely to dictate your response than your faith?

Perhaps you could begin with something as simple as pausing during a heated conversation. Before responding with words you might later regret, take a breath and ask God to guide your thoughts and words. What if that brief pause became an opportunity to extend grace rather than react in frustration, to listen rather than defend yourself, or to offer encouragement instead of criticism?

Pausing doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations or ignoring the challenges before you. It means making room for God to guide how you respond.

Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” 

God's Word may not always reveal the entire road ahead, but it offers wisdom and light for the next step. When we pause to turn our attention toward Him, we are reminded that we don't have to navigate life's challenges in our own understanding or strength.

Take a few moments to reread that verse again slowly. Ask God to bring to mind other scriptures that can help you become still, find reassurance in His presence, and discern His direction for your life.

Consider this: What is one situation you are facing today in which you need to pause before responding? What scripture could you carry with you as a reminder to seek God's wisdom in that moment?

PRAYER

Gracious God, thank you for teaching me to pause and take time to see Your glory on display in creation. Thank you for reminders of who You are and what You’ve accomplished. Help me keep my heart and mind focused on You especially when lies and doubts surround me. Help me be still long enough to hear Your voice, trust Your guidance, and respond in a way that honors You. Also, give me courage to keep telling others about Your world changing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABOUT MARLA WALDRON

Marla Waldron is a wife, mother of three grown children, sister, teacher, and friend who recently retired after 35 years as a public school educator. Since her father’s passing, she has also cared for her 50-year-old brother, who has multiple disabilities. She is actively involved in her church, community, and The Dented Fender Ministry, where she participates in and leads small-group Bible studies. Through seasons of grief, caregiving, and self-doubt, Marla has learned to lean on God’s grace, hold tightly to His truth, and trust His guidance one step at a time. She and her husband live in Wyoming, Ohio.

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