Selah
Selah [Say-Lah]: Many of you probably have never heard this word before, despite it being written 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in the book of Habakkuk. I know I hadn’t until just this past year when I heard it on one of my favorite Soul Talks podcast episodes!
Theologians have discussed various potential meanings for “Selah,” because there is actually no English word that lines up 1:1 in a translation. Many believe that this word was used to denote a musical interlude, or a pause. As such, over time we’ve come to understand this word in English as “to pause and listen,” or “to pause and reflect.”
Bill Gaultiere says, “It’s [Selah] a great word that helps us to practice God’s presence moment by moment.” When I read this I thought, “Amen!” And don’t we all want that? To practice and live in the presence of the Lord moment by moment?
I believe deep in my soul that one of the most honoring ways we can praise and worship God is by implementing His word and His teachings in our every day. That’s exactly what we are called to do as Christians, right? It’s easy to sit in the pews on Sunday and soak in a good word, or agree and share scripture on social media. But are we actually striving to become disciples of Jesus? Are we truly learning and living FOR Him? When we get to heaven, our greatest hope is that the Lord will say, “Well done my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). Not “well remembered.” Not “well considered,” “well thought about,” or “well shared on your Instagram.” Well done.
So, what does this look like for us in reality? In a practical sense, when we’re rushing through our day, maybe getting kids fed and off to school or daycare, running countless errands, working long hours, cleaning our homes, and likely feeling exhausted by the end of the day?! How do we practically live out a Biblical principle like Selah, living in the presence of the King moment by moment?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Life happens in the margins.” Friends, if we are diligent and discerning enough to pay attention, I think so much of Jesus is found there, too. And I think this is exactly how we go about living in His presence moment by moment. Because the truth is, our daily, earthy obligations don’t stop. But the more that we allow Jesus in, the more that we intentionally turn to Him at the beginning, middle, and end of our days, the more that we seek His wisdom and His Word, then the more we will find and experience Him. And the more we will find ourselves living in His presence.
He is there in the car when you turn on a worship song before getting to your next errand. He is there when you comfort your child and give them Biblical advice about how to love others well. He is there when you’re doing your dishes, praying for a family member going through a trial. He is there on your work call, when you’re remembering to do all things as if you were doing them for Christ Himself. (Col 3:23-24)
He is there when you see, have compassion for, and love a stranger, the homeless man on the corner, or someone who can do absolutely nothing for you. He is there when you lay your head on your pillow, wondering how in the world you’ll have the energy to go again tomorrow, and you remember His word says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Friends, these are all experiences of Selah. Of pausing, reflecting, and turning our hearts and minds to God in the chaos of the day. And nothing is better than living in His midst, I can promise you that. Even better, He promises us that. Have you ever been so overwhelmed with the Lord’s peace after turning your attention to Him for just a few moments? That good and gracious gift is available to you all the time, if we are just intentional enough with our “in-between” moments.
Now, am I saying we should just forget spiritual disciplines like reading the Bible and seek to experience God in other ways throughout our days? Absolutely not. It’s both/and. We must know the Word of God to be able to live it. But we must live it to truly be His disciples.
I personally do really well with helpful lists. (Helllooooo Enneagram 1!). So aside from some of the ways I mentioned above, here are a few practical ways you might be able to implement the principle of Selah throughout your day. I’m praying that no matter where you’re at or what season of life you are in, you are able to find and experience increasingly more moments of Selah ♥️
1.) When you’re waiting for your coffee cup to fill from the machine, be praying over your day, surrendering it to the Lord. (Often I’m also praying the coffee is strong because I’m exhausted, ha!). This is one of the most powerful morning practices I have found next to getting in the Word. When you surrender your perceived control of the day, you’d be shocked at how differently you experience things that would usually upset, anger, bore you, etc.
2.) When you’re brushing your teeth (yes, really!) be praying for friends and family who have asked for prayer, or who you know need it. I also love to hum worship songs or turn on worship music while I get ready. It sets an incredible tone for my day. If you work from home or have a private office, you might be able to play your worship music throughout the day! I highly recommend it!
3.) As you get ready, take moments to practice being grateful to the Lord for your body. Our bodies are gifts from Him and temples for Him. Practice thankfulness for what He’s enabled you to do. Or maybe how He’s healed you. Or maybe you’re in prayer for how you need physical healing. Or how someone you know needs physical healing.
4.) When you sit down at your computer, pause and remember how God has called you into this job in this season. Even in seasons where you don’t like your job, you can be thankful and grateful for what God’s providing for you. I have often prayed for God to show me what He is teaching me through my work or coworkers. I have also prayed for Him to rescue me out of hard work situations, and for answers to problems I didn’t know how to solve.
5.) In meetings with others, you can be thinking of ways you can respond with love, empathy, and in ways that are Christlike. How do you love others well at your job? How do you shine the light of Christ? The same goes for actually executing the work. Are you quick to listen and slow to speak with others? Slow to get angry? Quick to empathy and understanding and compassion?
6.) When you’re cooking dinner for your spouse or your kids, be praying over them. Put your heart in a posture of gratefulness for what God’s provided for you and them how He’s taken care of you. Or maybe you’re praying for how you need Him to speak, to move, to answer an unanswered prayer. Or perhaps you’re cooking for yourself and thanking God for providing food for you today. You’re praying for a future family or a future spouse or you’re sharing your day with God, seeking wisdom, advice, or rest.
7.) If you like to read at night, you can slow down, make a good cup of tea, and read some God-honoring literature (Lysa Terkeurst, John Mark Comer, and Ann Voskamp are a few of my favorites), listen to Christian podcasts (I love The Vibrant Life, King and Culture, Soul Talks, and The NeueThing Podcast) or read your Bible. Are all my books and podcasts by Christian authors? Certainly not. But a great way to experience the Lord at the end of the day (or even the beginning, if that’s where you have time) is to get into works that are founded on and inspired by Him and His Word.
8.) Go for a walk or exercise—the same thing applies as #3 above. It’s a great time to be in worship or prayer. When I walk my dog, I love to take deep breaths and recall/recite my favorite scriptures. Some of those are…
“Count it all joy my brothers and sisters…” (James 1:2-4)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
“My soul finds rest in God alone…” (Psalm 62)
“…My yoke is easy and my burden is light…” (Matthew 11:30)
Now, practice Selah, friends. You won’t regret it.
- Kailee Clough
About Kailee
Kailee is an avid Taco Bell goer and FRIENDS enthusiast who loves Jesus. She currently serves as Marketing Operations Manager at Soul Shepherding, a ministry that empowers pastors and ministry leaders to thrive in their leadership and spiritual development.
Kailee was born and raised in Littleton, Colorado and holds dual degree in Communications and Socio-Legal studies from the University of Denver. She now attends Redemption Gateway Church in South Gilbert, AZ where she has lived with her husband, Parker and her dog, Chip for just over two and a half years.