If you have ever been to New York City, you know that it truly is the city that never sleeps. The subways, taxis, tourists, and natives are always on the move. It is busy. It is loud. It is fun. It is chaotic. Even at midnight it is noisy.
I think everyone should enjoy the thrill of a New York taxi ride or a subway ride at least once in their life. The television doesn’t justly show the reality of holding on for dear life.
But in the midst of the chaos and loudness of the city, there is a beautiful refuge. It is Central Park. It is surrounded by trees. We were there before the blooming season, but I can only imagine the fully bloomed beauty of the park. I can remember having coffee at a little shop inside the park and noticing how quiet it was. It was as if I was nestled into the park to escape the chaos.
Our world is in chaos right now. There is so much going on and just the sounds of it can be too much to comprehend. It can be overwhelming and cause our spirit to be restless and our hearts to be weary. We need a place of refuge, away from the sounds that are penetrating our hearts and minds. So where do we go to escape the chaos, confusion and commotion? Where is that quiet place where we can be nestled away from all of it?
There is a refuge who will cover us. We can be assured that God is in control of all the noise. When the sounds of this world get too loud and chaotic, you can go to the One that is our refuge. Turn off the news, walk away from the chaos, whether it be at home, work, family or world, and rest in the One who hides us in His pavilion.
“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5
We have heard it said that there is “peace through strength”. There is no strength more powerful than God and I am thankful that we have that strength sheltering us from the chaos of life.
Fun fact: This is Times Square at 10:49 pm and Central Park mid-afternoon. These are pictures from my trip in 2018.