Be still....

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalms 46:10

How exactly does one "be still"?

"The idea is something like this: "As you know the glory and greatness of God, stop your mouth from arguing with Him or opposing Him. Simply surrender." (EWC)

"In this setting, "be still and know that I am God" is not advice to us to lead a contemplative (expressing or involving prolonged thought) life, however important that may be... It means rather, 'Lay down your arms. Surrender, and acknowledge that I am the one and only victorious God." (Boice)

Surrender - the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another.
Yielding one's person!? And now I know why I cannot be still.....sigh ...
I'm guessing there would be those that look at me and think:

•You have a nice house
•You don't have financial concerns
•You are your own boss
•You can do whatever you want
•You're RETIRED
•You have TIME

All of the above statements are actually true. Does that mean I have a carefree life? No struggles? Abundant bliss? Hardly.....Am I blessed? Beyond measure. Do I struggle? In a nutshell...yes......

Those "freedoms" came at a very high price. With the exception of my house none of them are because I asked for them. All are a by product of great loss. And when great loss is attached it is incredibly difficult to separate.
So what is your greatest struggle right now? For me, it's TIME. Yours may be time as well. I look at my daughter's life....four children, a full-time job, a home.....never enough hours in the day. Me? Every waking hour is in need of filling. At least that's the way I see it. If I'm not DOING something I'm lazy. I'm wasting time that could be better spent. Surely I could be serving the kingdom... God, where are these grand plans I thought you'd have for me? Why am I sitting here AGAIN?

Ahhhhh......BE STILL.....and KNOW.... surrender EVERYTHING to me.....open your hands.....don't hold so tightly to that which was never yours to begin with.
I have great desire to serve God's kingdom. I assumed that's what I would be doing. In my human thinking it doesn't look like it to me.....I have too much downtime.....I'm wasting opportunity....but where is the opportunity??? (Yes, three question marks represent frustration.)

On Christmas Eve I read a devotion in a book I've clung to for the past six years....and, in God's perfect timing, he addressed this issue of time.

"As the people of God, we have become entirely too practical. We believe in having "all our irons in the fire" and that all the time we spend away from the anvil or fire is wasted time. Yet our time is never more profitably spent than when we set aside time for quiet meditation, talking with God, and looking up to heaven. We can never have too many of these open spaces in life --- hours set aside when our soul is completely open and accessible to any heavenly thought or influence that God may be pleased to send our way."
"We should have intervals of time when we do nothing, think nothing, and plan nothing but simply lie on the green lap of nature and "rest a while".

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Mark 6:31

"Time spent in this way is not lost time. A fisherman does not say he is losing time when he is mending his nets, nor does a gardener feel he has wasted his time by taking a few minutes to sharpen the blades on his mower. And people living in cities today would do well to follow the example of Isaac and as often as possible visit the fields of the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. After having grown weary from the heat and the noise of the city, communion with nature is very refreshing and will bring a calming, healing influence. A walk through a field, a stroll by a seashore, or a hike across a meadow sprinkled with daisies will purge you of the impurities of life and will cause your heart to beat with new joy and hope."

Excerpts from: Streams in the Desert December 24

Jesus models perfectly for me how precious it is to spend time in silence and communion with the Father.

Now, again, God is showing me how to "convert" my head knowledge (what I've read many times and know to be true) into heart KNOWING (taking to heart and LIVING the TRUTH).

This has been a season of life I'd never have expected. It's a season that's been hard to walk. It's been confusing.....but ... it's also given me an amazing opportunity to seek the Lord AND it's given me the ability to look more compassionately on those whose outward appearances look like they've got it all together but, like me, may have internal struggles I know nothing about.....

I find myself, yet again, grateful. For if the painful lessons of this life lead to greater understanding of my God I'm all in.

Be still.....

Blessed

"The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place."

Proverbs 15:25

Upon returning home after spending the holiday with my daughter and her family I found a gift on my front porch. The above verse was written among these beautiful sentiments...

"The gift He wanted my family to give Him for his birthday was to love you and pray for you so that you might know just how deep His love is for you. He is near."

During this busy season it's easy to, not necessarily forget, but to become so busy that important people and opportunities get pushed a bit to the side. I'm talking about myself here.....I did just that....placing all of my energy in one place and ever so slightly justifying I could push something.....someone to another day. 

Yet, I come home to find that not only had I been prayed for by a special family but time was taken to bring a gift. I was so touched, felt such love, saw God's hand so clearly....and....I.....was ...convicted. Convicted that this family did for me what I did not do for a member of my own family. 

Funny as I sit here this morning, in the dark, rested after a good night's sleep, I'm actually sad that I didn't do it right. I can justify my choices and to some it would sound perfectly acceptable.....but I am without excuse....

"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:17

"James knows that it is far easier to think about and talk about humility and dependence on God than it is to live it. Yet he makes the mind of God plain: as we know these things, we are accountable to do them." (EWC)

"Here James returned to his consistent theme through his letter: the idea that genuine faith is proved by action. “However high and orthodox our view of God’s law might be, a failure actually to do it says to the world that we do not in fact put much store by it.” (Moo)

How many times I've said, "God, I don't know what you are doing!" WELL....how could I have possibly seen this laid out so perfectly!? One family's act of obedience to love me, during an incredibly busy, often difficult, season showed me that they did for me what I wasn't willing to do for another.

I am so grateful (actually blown away) by such kindness....my heart overflows with joy. This family prayed for me and was obedient to God's calling to love me in a difficult season....and through their obedience God has taught me how to do the same....even when I'm busy (doing good things), even when I'm exhausted, even when I don't have the "want to" even when I feel justified, even when I'm pretty sure I'll be forgiven....

As the sun rises this morning on my favorite day of the week, Celebration Sunday, I am in awe. I stand amazed in the presence of a God who teaches me hard lessons, corrects my heart and loves me like no other.

One commentary explains this verse in Proverbs like this:

"The widow is the picture and representative of a humble, needy person who looks to and depends on God. She represents the opposite of the proud, and God takes special care of those who humbly depend on Him."

As I sit at the feet of Jesus this morning I've been humbled and I'm grateful.

I WILL

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken (fall)."

Psalms 55:22

I've been pondering the "I WILL" promises, given by God in his word. Once I got accustomed to seeing them, instead of reading over them like I did for years, I read in a different light. Praise God! There is great power in the "I WILL" promises. Just looking at this verse in Psalm 55.....He WILL sustain me, He WILL NEVER let me fall. How precious is that!? I can KNOW it!! Be certain of it!! I can count on it!! Take it to the bank!! Repeat it!! Shout it!!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Two powerful "I AM" statements and three "I WILL" promises in one verse. I AM with you and I AM your God. I WILL strengthen you, help you and uphold you. PROMISES! Never to be broken.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

I WILL give you rest! I love this verse because, confession time, there have been many times when I have not felt God's rest. How can that be? It's a promise. God doesn't break his promises. And when I am at the end of myself I see it. I never did my part, "Come to me".....

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Isaiah 43:2

I love this incredibly powerful, amazingly comforting verse. God doesn't promise we will have a beautifully, peaceful life...in fact he says we WILL have trouble in this world....but look at this promise, I WILL be with you....I will not be swept away by the waters nor burned by the flames. This life can be brutal. I've experienced the brutality of it and guess what? I'm still standing! Why? Because my Creator, my Savior, my Heavenly Father KEEPS his promises.

And this precious verse:

"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

John 14:2‭-‬3

I WILL come back and take you to be with me. O glorious day!! Until that day I wait with eager anticipation. Because he WILL return to take me home to be with him. All the darkness and sorrow of this world is really hard. But alas, He has overcome the world! This is not my home!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Do you know him? There is no better moment than right now to begin a relationship with the One who CREATED you, KNOWS you, LOVES you, and desires to have a relationship with you. He is THE best gift you will ever receive.

Merry Christmas!

Pictures

When I was in California in November I'd venture to say I took 100 pictures of the mountains. I simply could not comprehend their beauty. Each time I took a picture I'd examine it to see if I got the right angle, if it captured what I saw, if, when I shared it with others, they could see what I saw. Without a doubt, each and every time, I was disappointed, not in the sense that the pictures were bad, but that what I felt by SEEING them could not be duplicated in a picture.

This morning when I saw the "pink" begin to come through my front window I went outside to catch a picture of the beautiful sky. When I reviewed the picture, while beautiful, it didn't begin to replicate what I saw with my eyes.

Reminds me of the thousands of pictures I have that have captured memories of family, friends, vacations, nature..... NONE of those pictures can replicate or replace being PRESENT in those moments. Pictures are a great reminder of what was but they cannot restore the moment I was there to experience the joy when the photo was "snapped".

I'm reminded this morning that as each moment passes it's gone forever. Not only the moment itself but the intensity of the feelings, the emotions, the magnificence.

So today, as long as it's called today, I need to remind myself that a picture can never replace being IN the moment. A picture can never restore the joy felt at the very moment it was happening. A picture can never convey fully my experience.

I can tell you that the sky, in my little neck of the woods, was beautiful this morning. A gift for my eyes. I'm so grateful that God gave me that moment. He knew it would bring joy to my heart at that very moment. I can't NOT snap the picture but I already knew it would never be as beautiful as the experience of SEEING it.

Have a beautiful day LIVING IN the experiences that will never pass your way again.

Sunrise

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

Mark 1:35

For the last two weeks, I believe, God has awoken me in the early morning, while it is still dark for a purpose. I've committed to reading and sharing what God shows to me for each of the 24 chapters of Luke (Advent through Luke - not to late to join in). 

I'm nervous everyday. Commitment is hard. 

But here's what I realized this morning and what I thanked God for......getting up and sitting at his feet while it's still pitch dark outside allows zero distractions. 

How do I know this? For the last couple of days I've been acutely aware of the sunrises. I sat at my desk one morning with just a small desk lamp on and concentrated on my study and my time with the Lord. As soon as it began to get light outside I was distracted. 

I was looking out my window, watching the neighbors leaving for work, yep, here comes the trash man, the school buses, oh look, it's snowing......and on and on.

I'm sitting here this morning, it's 7:23 and I've been up for 2 1/2 hours and as it's starting to get light outside I realized I had not turned on a single light, nor opened my curtains. It's been such sweet, quiet time with the Lord, I don't want it to end. I don't want the world to slip in and busyness to steal away the day.

Alas, I can't help but notice the pink color beginning to shine through my curtains and I am drawn to the window. I open my front door and snap this picture. God reminds me that he's here, in the daylight as well as the darkness. And while this world may have many distractions he is still here! 

I can open my curtains and begin my day because he goes WITH me. He is IN me. I am filled! My heart is full to overflowing!

But oh that sweet, sweet time in the darkness...until tomorrow...

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Psalm 90:14

Have a beautiful day, remembering the One who gifted it to us!