Selah: A Daily Mini-Sabbath

April 17, 2024: Part Two

What if I told you there is a brief daily practice taking no longer than a quarter of an hour that nourishes and strengthens your inner being and spirit? What if I told you that this daily fifteen-minute exercise will give you, in time, a life worth living, a God worth loving, and a self worth valuing? Imagine the transformative power of dedicating just 15 minutes a day to enriching your life, deepening your spirituality, and cultivating self-worth.

There is such a practice. It is ancient, more than 3,000 years old. It is called “Selah.” It has been practiced nonstop ever since. Many have given testimony to it as their secret spiritual superpower:

That daily quarter of an hour, for more than forty years or more, I am sure has been one of the greatest sustenances and sources of calm for my life” (from Selected Letters, by Baron von Hugel).

I stumbled upon "selah" while reading the Psalms. It shows up 71 times across 39 different Psalms. I really am tempted to try and convince you that the very first time I read one of the Psalms, I couldn't help but notice the intriguing presence of "selah.” I want to be able to tell you I knew immediately that I had stumbled upon a hidden treasure, and I wasted no time in embracing the unique gift it brings. Sadly, that couldn't be further from the truth. After years of reading the Psalms, it finally dawned on me that something was intriguing about the word "selah" that appeared in certain passages. It took me quite some time to grasp the true significance of this word, long after I had deciphered its likely meaning. But, eventually, I came to understand that it is not just an archaic term, but rather a timeless practice that traces its roots back to the creation story. After embracing “selah,” the practice, I can now affirm the testimony of Baron von Hugel.

In the following sections, I will delve into the true meaning of 'Selah ', its profound connection to the creation story, and how it can revolutionize our lives in a world where hurry and busyness has cult-like power. I invite you to join me on this 'Selah' journey, and I'm confident you'll find it to be a game-changer in your life. As a bonus, I’ll share some audio notes on how I incorporate 'Selah' into my daily routine.

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