Selah.
The word has an indescribable airiness. It almost sounds like breathing and brings a sense of peace. The New International Bible Dictionary (NIBD) says the word selah appears 71 times in Psalms and three times in Habakuk 3. Despite selah's numerous appearance, Christians often overlook this word without a second thought as they read through the Bible. As a result, they miss the word's profoundness and its overall magnitude.
The meaning of selah
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible says the term may mean forever or everlasting. Some scholars suggest the word is also an acronym for voice modulation, or repetition. Opening Up Psalms states that it may function as a direction for musicians to change instruments or call for singers to pause and reflect on lyrics. In addition, people reading psalms publicly pause when they reach selah in the text, but do not read the word.
Selah essentially signifies a moment to stop and reflect on the words we read or sing in psalms. Although this is an important discipline when a person sings worship music, sitting in silence, listening for God's voice, and meditating on the truth he speaks to us carries greater implications that transcend the musical realm.
Selah as a discipline
The concept of selah can greatly change our lives if we pause amid busy schedules and reflect on how God has worked through various circumstances over the past year. People hastily form new years resolutions because they are eager to change their lives, learn from mistakes, and become better people. How do we improve ourselves if we do not examine what we want to fix? We must reflect on the past in order to make progress in the present.
Journals help people reflect since they can organize their thoughts as they write things down and also provide opportunities for individuals to revisit these entries later in life. As a result, I journal each day and have found it significantly impacts my spiritual growth. In these entries, I write down insights God provides as I read through the Bible each morning, my prayers, the ways he's working in my life, and the ways I hope to grow in my faith.
Since many people find journaling helpful, I have developed this exercise based on the idea of selah. The activity requires people to pause their busy life, reflect on the past year, and also think about the upcoming year. Completing each section will take some time, but you can complete one section each day.
1: Personal growth
Grab a journal and pen, then sit down with a warm cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea. Make a few different lists. Title the first list, "how I have grown this year." This section focuses on how you, as an individual, developed this year — growth in your walk with God will come in another list. Think about the trials God carried you through, the events you experienced, and what others have noticed about you. Have people said you became stronger after facing tragedy? Perhaps you have developed more courage to face your fears. You can write this in paragraph form or jot down phrases like "became more courageous." Look over this list after you complete it and ponder what you learned about yourself this year overall, then write a summary statement.
2: Spiritual growth
After you complete the first list, title the second list, "how I have grown spiritually." Did God impress certain passages on your heart? Write those down. Create another list for these verses if many come to mind. Consider if certain stories also spoke to you. For example, God frequently brought me back to the story of Joshua entering the Promised Land and how he told him to "be strong and courageous." I actually purchased a keychain shaped like a key with the word "strength" on one side and "courage" on the other. If you noticed God spoke in a similar way, write that story down and look for the reference if you do not have it memorized.
Read Galatians 5:2-3 about the different spiritual fruits, then pray and ask God which ones you have grown in. Has he made you more patient? Have you possibly exercised goodness and learned to appreciate what he designates as good instead of worldly pleasures? After writing down the specific spiritual fruits, scribe a sentence or two of how he grew that spiritual fruit and how you would like to flourish further in it.
3: Insight about the Godhead
Title the third section "what I learned about God." In this section, include insights you gained about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Have you noticed the Father's faithfulness more this year? Have you experienced Jesus' grace on a new level? Has the Holy Spirit spoken to your heart? Think back on specific Bible passages as well that helped you understand any part of the Godhead and write those down. Read these verses again in January and journal about any new insights.
4: Spiritual gifts
Title the fourth section "spiritual gifts I have grown in or would like to acquire." Some of this may overlap with the second section, but you can rewrite those answers here. Read the following passages: 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:6-8, and Ephesians 4:11-16. After looking at these passages, take a spiritual gifts test or look at this list. Pray to God and ask what spiritual gifts he gave you if you are not sure what any of them are and also jot down any that speak directly to your heart.
Think of any experiences this year or skills you have that may confirm those gifts and write those down. For instance, many close friends have told me I'm naturally encouraging. Through their observations, God showed me that I have the spiritual gift of exhortation, which means I encourage people in their faith and the abilities God gave them to serve him. Lastly, you can brainstorm possible opportunities to develop those gifts this new year inside and outside the church.
5: Significant Scripture
Title the fifth section "formative passages." What Bible verses, books, or stories specifically spoke to you? Did Jesus' parables touch your heart? Perhaps God spoke to you through a psalm. Whatever the case, look up the references for these passages and read them again this new year. You can also make another section to write new verses that impact you in 2017 and compare the two lists later on. Write down why these passages were formative — did God reveal something about you? Did they encourage you during a season of doubt? Did you learn something new altogether?
6: Looking towards 2017
Title the sixth section "how I'd like to grow in my faith this year." This can include both spiritual and personal growth. Consider any character qualities you'd like to develop, such as courage, empathy, patience, etc;, or areas you'd like to strengthen your faith, such as doubting less or trusting more in God's plan. Revisit this list each month, or more frequently, to ensure you maintain these goals throughout 2017.
7: A moment of prayer
Finally, spend time in prayer about all these things and the year of 2016, then create a final section to write down anything God reveals during this moment. After you complete all seven sections, write one word that describes the previous year and another that describes how you envision the upcoming year. This may seem difficult, but choose concrete words. Some suggestions include: testing and trust, blessings and faithfulness, etc;. Make them personal and even write them on a sticky note to place on the car dashboard if visual reminders help.
Reflecting on 2016
This exercise contains several suggestions, but you can personalize any section. The goal is for increased spiritual and personal growth after a significant time reflecting on the past year, 2016, and asking God about his plans for you in the upcoming year, 2017. Make room for God and don't let this world take over your life. Practice the discipline of selah. Stop and reflect, even if it's for a short moment.
