Be still? I think it is safe to say most of us have been brought to a stand-still by the pandemic. At least our ‘normal routines’ are dramatically disrupted. But are we still in our inner being? Do we know what that is?
For years the idea of inner rest and stillness was a foreign concept to me, almost to the point of scary. Honestly, it felt safer to keep busy than to be alone with myself, Let alone God. Even now, on the other side of no longer being afraid to be still, I often struggle to slow myself to truly take advantage of the “…and know that I AM God” part of the verse.
What changed for me to be still in my own skin? Lots, but primarily I decided to focus on wanting to know God. I had a lot of adjusting to do. Changing how I think and what I make the object of my thinking is a huge part. The Word tells us to “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 That requires replacing old distracting thoughts with life giving promises. That exchange is one definition of repentance. I find it a ‘fascinating coincidence’ that this pandemic has us home during Lent, the season of realignment.
I believe being forced out of our old routines gives us an amazing opportunity to make changes and refocus. God wants us to know who He is. For that to happen many of us could use a few degrees of realignment. Our adjustments may be a few small degrees to a full 180 degree turn from focus on everything but God to choosing a fresh focus on God. Focus in His direction is the only way to know that God is. “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
My internet and cable was out all day yesterday. True confession…I have been struggling with being distracted by screens this past week. Being truly still has been more elusive than I care to admit. I even prayed on the phone with a friend recently about it.
Don’t get me wrong, it is not all about me! However, it is not lost on me that my inability to electronically distract today coincides neatly with the concepts of ‘rest’ and ‘stillness’ vying for my attention over the last few days.
Like the concept of Sabbath rest, stillness is both a physical point in time as well as “a disposition of the heart.”* It is here in the “Be still” where we begin to understand who we are. There may be a temptation to hide from God, like they did in the garden. That, however, is not the goal.
As we begin to come in contact with the presence of our Creator, the things that hold us back begin to come off. Yes, some is burned off. Some is washed off with our own tears of heart change and repentance. All is cleaned by the blood of the Lamb of God. This cleansing results in us beginning to understand the Love, and other magnificent characteristics of our Living God. In this position we learn who we really are and who we really belong to. Fear can not exist in the presence of this perfect love.
The melding of pure love and our understanding of it, brings the ability to know: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 We have the opportunity to become world changers for the King of Kings.
How can you choose to be still so you you can know that God is God?
*p.3 The Rest of God, Mark Buchanan
Thank you for being open. I work at hospital so I am working but on weekends and nights it is usually just tv and bed. So this is a check for me to see how I can make changes not waste my time and instead go deeper with God.
Thank you Karen! I KNOW God will meet you…He has been waiting…happily =}