What do a day at the beach and your spiritual life have in common? More than you might think.

Hi everyone! I'm Jamie Morrison, the Campus Pastor at Vernon Hills, and I'm kicking off this week's "Holy Habits" devotional series on two practices that go together better than peanut butter and jelly: Silence and Solitude.

In this first devotion, I share a personal story about our family's beach tradition that took a scary turn. My daughters were floating peacefully, unaware of a current pulling them farther and farther from shore. By the time they wanted to come back, they couldn't—the current was too strong. They needed a lifeguard to rescue them.

This is exactly what happens to our souls.

In this video, we explore:

• The "unseen currents" of distraction that drift us away from where we want to be—without us even noticing until it's too late.
• Why trying harder isn't enough when the current is stronger than you are. We need a Lifeguard to bring us home.
• The "Six S's" that anchor our spiritual life: Solitude, Silence, Slowing, Stillness, Sabbath, and Sleep.
• A deep dive into Psalm 46—a Psalm of chaos and turmoil that gives way to the serene invitation: "Be still, and know that I am God."
• How silence and solitude aren't just nice ideas—they're how we deliberately seek God, find Him, and let Him anchor our drifting hearts.

This week, I encourage you to get away, find a quiet place, and read Psalm 46. Let the chaos settle. Let the river of God make glad your city. And hear His assuring whisper to your soul.

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