Be Still…
Ha, you say…come on Melissa, it’s the end of the school year, there are parties, graduations, dances, work to do, ministries to run, kids to shuttle, how on Earth could I slow down now and take time to BE STILL, and I would say to you, “How could you not!”.
Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.-D.L. MoodyI am so not trying to guilt you, pressure you, or tell you what to do, but let’s face it ladies, you and I both know that we can put everything else in front of ourselves and sometimes we can even put our Quiet time on the back burner too. Never on purpose, of course, but you get up, your running late, there are kids to take care of, the house, the pets, the spouse, work, life, etc…and well, that can leave us a little dry. Psalm 37:7 – Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
So, what are we supposed to do? Well, I don’t know about what is exactly “right” for you, but I do know that it simply requires for you to “Be Still”. For some of you with little ones around all the time it could be sitting in the bathroom for an extra five minutes praying for wisdom, peace, and calmness. For some of you that haven’t ever had a Quiet Time, that could simply mean taking 5-minutes (yep…start small and build it up to longer) to sit (in the car, in the bathroom, in the closet, in your office, on the edge of your bed, in your most comfy chair…) and reflect on how great and awesome God is. That’s it! It doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult, but it does have to come from your heart. Psalm 131:2 – But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
In the process of being still take some time to really slow it down; your pace, your heartbeat, your thoughts, just relax and think about spending time with God. Bring your Bible with you and open up the Word and seek Him (Matthew 6:33) during your time together.
The income of God’s Word is the outcome of a changed life. -Ed Cole
I have two favorite places to spend time with God in the Word. In the mornings before my “official” quiet time I open my Message Bible and read it while I wait for my hair to dry. I only read a couple of pages and just let my mind start to reflect on the words that I have just read, and while I dry my hair I try and meditate on those words and add them to my prayer time. Wait…did I just say that I pray while I dry my hair? Yes, I did…I pray in the car, in the shower, while I dry my hair, while I put on my makeup, driving the kids to school, picking them up from school, while I pack their lunchboxes, and while I cook dinner. Weird, nope! Do I talk a lot, yep! Does God get tired of it, thank goodness He doesn’t! But Melissa, you say, that is not exactly being still…you are right, but for those of you who are just getting started this is a great way to start your habit.
My favorite time of the day is when I can truly be still and sit with God. Different people have different places/ways to do this, but for me it almost ALWAYS is outside. I have a special little room that is on the back porch (screened in) that we transformed into a “relaxation room”. I have a nice big comfy chair with dim lighting, waterfalls, and the sounds of the wild parrots in my back yard. I don’t know why, but for some reason being outside, in God’s creation, helps me to get one on one with Him and also celebrate His majesty!
What does that look like for other people?
If you live in the city, it could be on a park bench.
If you live near the ocean, it could be on the beach.
Isn’t that reassuring? All He is waiting for is for us to slow it down, in the midst of the chaos of our lives, and spend some time with Him. And when we do look what it says will happen in 1 Samuel 12:16 – “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!
Friends, I know that life is crazy, busy, and hectic. I too feel the demands of being a wife, mom, friend, daughter, sister, etc., but that doesn’t mean that I would neglect the MOST important relationship that I have. Your time with God is not for Him it is completely for YOU!!!
Take some time to really think about how you can start to refill yourselves with His Word by spending time with the one who loves you more than anything in the whole wide world. Take it from me…being still is so not easy, but when you do take that time and give it over to Him you will be so completely enriched and blessed. There is absolutely nothing like it.
So, go ahead, BE STILL!
Father God, thank you for being a patient God. You know that we need to slow it down and Be Still with you, and yet you don’t force it on us. Father, your grace is more than we can ever comprehend, and yet we are so very thankful for it. Father I pray for the ladies that read this devotional today. I pray, Father, that these words fall onto fertile soul and that they would find a way to spend the time their hearts crave to be with you. Help us all Father to learn to Be Still. In your son’s precious and holy name, Amen.
Sitting in the Quiet with Him,
Yes, Mel, YES! I made sure yesterday that I took quite a chunk of time to BE STILL, and I felt so much better afterwards! And isn’t it awesome how once you spend time with the Lord after you’ve been neglecting Him, that you crave it? I found myself with 15 extra minutes today before I go see friends from college. I’m nervous, because some of them I haven’t seen in over 10 years. I’m going to use the drive there to listen to beautiful praise music and spend time praising HIM for the lovely life with which he has blessed me, and the woman He has created in me!
Stop by my second blog if you like to see what I reflected on yesterday if you wish! http://showeredbyblessings.blogspot.com/
This one gets me, because sitting quietly is so hard for me. I get distracted easily. I love your prayer at the end… because the Lord is surely patient with me. I am also so happy that when I spend time with Him, I crave more. Always more of Him. My big goal one day is to start a journal of my quiet times. Have you ever done that?
These were great words and a great message. With three young children and all that goes with running a household and a business, I am so NOT still. In fact, I’ve been telling myself all morning “if I sit down, I’ll fall asleep”. Rest and renewal are so very important. Thanks again!
I love those quiet times. They are the best!
I just came back from one of the places where I am most quiet! The Beach! The Lake Michigan shore line is one of my favorite places! Now that it is getting warmer out I so look forward to getting up in the morning, getting my cup of Joe and heading for the deck to do my Bible Study! I love the sounds and smells that I encounter as God and I meet!
Great message Mel! I’m like you…I pray and talk with God all day long. When I’m driving or riding my bike or unloading the diswasher, etc. It doesn’t matter when or where. What matters is that we do. But…finding a quiet time and just being still is important too. Thanks for encouraging us to find the time to be still.
Hugs!
Kat
I have The Message too. I pray everywhere I go too. This was a great way to remind us all just to be still, something I have a lot of trouble with. I always take a bath at night and this is where I have a little time with God. It is very relaxing.
Bruce (aka Tanja) asked if I had done a journal of my quiet times and I have to be honest with you…No, I have not. I start them then stop. I do, however, have journals just about everywhere (in the car, on the nightstand, on my desk, and by my books) to record my thoughts or random “insights” wherever I might be.
I would LOVE to be able to sit and write every morning, and I know that day is coming, but for now I just haven’t started that! I do, though, think it is a huge benefit and can make an even bigger impact to your quiet time!
love this post Mel, It is so important to get quiet before Him and listen to His voice instead of hearing our voice all the time. I am guilty of this also, thanks for the reminder:)
hugs
Deb