Word of the Month: Linger

Recently, I began to reflect each month on a keyword I sense God laying on my heart. This month’s word is linger.

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) is more than a verse—it’s an invitation. Stillness requires time, attention, and yes… lingering.

John Eldredge reminds us,

“The soul was never meant to run at the speed of the world.”

But most of us do. And in doing so, we miss the deeper connection available in unrushed moments—with Jesus, with our people, and even with ourselves.

Lingering is where intimacy lives. You don’t build trust in a hurry. Whether it’s time with God or an extra-long lunch with someone you love, depth takes time. Presence takes intention. You can’t microwave intimacy. You can’t multitask your way to peace. 

If you want to know God, if you want to know the people who matter most, learn to linger.

So here’s the challenge for this month:

• Pause with the Pause App or Lectio 365. This is what I listen to in the sauna.

• Walk without your phone. Notice the sounds. Breathe deep.

• Journal what God might be saying. Go analog and ditch the digital just for a bit.

• Linger in conversation after the meal. Recline and intentionally “waste time” in the most wonderful way.

“We must recover the lost art of lingering with God.”
– John Eldredge

Let’s not rush past what matters most. This month, let’s linger. Summer will be gone before we know it, and soon we’ll be raking leaves and shoveling snow. So take time today to LINGER LONGER… you’ll thank me later. 

Happy Summer Selah Ya’ll 😎

Jon