STOP

I took a walk today and stopped to sit on a bench facing the water (pictured above). Behind me is a lot of traffic and noise but in front of me lies beauty and calmness. With my earbuds in and current favorite song on, I closed my eyes and there it was, what I wanted to feel...His presence. It can be challenging to stop. I wondered how many times I had actually taken time out at midday on a Monday to be still with God. The answer is I cannot remember. I'm sure this is often the case with most of us because we don't have the time. And we have other priorities. But the thing is, we do have the time. We just have to make it . It may take creativity or taking time away from something else but can we afford not to? My answer is no. Our God in Heaven longs to have a relationship with us. Relationships grow stronger when time is invested.

The song I was listening to has a chorus that goes something like "I see the evidence of your goodness all over my life." I've never felt that more than now. As I reflected on this past week, I was able to witness many people surrender to the Lord and seal where they will spend eternity. I saw my daughter light up like I've never seen her and shout with pure delight. I watched my son walk into a room and help lead kids his age to Christ.

Those reflections lead to a heart of gratitude. Contentment. Peace. Those three things are hard to find in the hustle and bustle.

Today, I would encourage whomever reads this to go somewhere quiet and turn on that song that speaks to you. Close your eyes, be still and call to God. He will meet you there... Actually, He's already there.
 

Being Still in the Demands of Life

The loud annoying sound blared in my ear. “It’s 5:50 already?” I asked myself. I felt 83 instead of 38 as my body snap, crackled and popped after a few steps were taken from the bed to the bathroom. I woke one child, followed by the next three, made breakfast, fed the dog, brewed coffee and paid a bill online. Then, I remembered I needed to shower. I breathed a sigh of relief as, one by one, the kids safely made their way from our front door to the bus stop. I poured my cup of joe and sat down to meet with Jesus. Shortly after I thanked Him for the day, my mind wandered to the other bill I forgot to pay and if I washed the conditioner out of my hair.
Ever been there? Where the thought of a calm, peaceful day or morning is a memory you seem to recall but is a little fuzzy.

I sat down on my chair at work where I flipped my daily encouragement calendar. I grinned as it read “Be still and know I am God.” A few moments later, the same verse appeared in an article I read. “Okay, God, you have my attention.” I said softly.

God whispers to us in many ways. Sometimes through other people. Or, the Holy Spirit provides a nudge in our hearts. Many times, it’s as plain as the lines on our hands-through His written word.

In this fast paced, have to get-it-done-now world we live in, it’s hard to pause. When the kids are pulling on both arms because, they too, have to have it now. When a notification dings on our phone and we feel we must instantly respond. When we trip on our own shoes in the closet so, of course, it needs to be cleaned out.

It’s easy to find ourselves here. Where the struggle to balance our time and role as parents, employees and friends becomes overwhelming. The common verse that says: “Be still” is overlooked by everything else that vies for our attention.

Where does The Almighty fit into our schedules? Is he squeezed into our car rides from point A to B? Do we read a devotion and feel we have spent adequate time with Him? Or, feel our weekly visits to church are enough to carry us through? All of these are good things. It’s great to talk to Jesus in the car or while we are doing our make-up. To read an encouraging devotion can be just what we need to lift our spirits more. Going to church can be a second home for a lot of us. But, is this enough? I would argue no, it’s not.

Long before cell phones, to-do lists and cleaning products were born, the One who created us wrote an exquisite letter. He did so knowing we would put idols in front of Him and place Him somewhere in the middle of our priority lists. This love letter, commonly referred to as the Bible, is our life manual. Its words are timeless and filled with wisdom and instruction to carry us from one day to the next.

Some of us don’t read as a hobby, don’t understand the Bible or simply feel we don’t have time for it. But, if the Lord in Heaven is the Lord of our lives and the greatest lover of our souls, why would we not want to read what He’s written to us?

Here are a few ways we can practically be still in the demands of life:

Reexamine our order of priorities.  Before we say yes to everyone else, say yes to God. We do so by patiently dwelling in His presence. We can’t expect to hear from him nor have any type of peace in our chaotic lives if we don’t place Him before everything else that threatens to take precedence.

Be intentional and make time to read the Bible. Our schedules are all different. We might have to do it in the evenings when little ones are down or leave for work early and spend time with Him in the car of the parking lot.  God sees and knows the desires of our hearts, no matter where we are or what time of day it is.

Pray. Pray that God unclutters our minds and helps us understand and discern what He is teaching us.

Each day will provide its own unique set of situations that make it harder than others to abide in Jesus. But, as we strive and seek to do so, I believe the Lord will honor that as we honor Him.

Father in Heaven,

Thank you for creating me and blessing me with the people in my life and with things that make it easy to live. Forgive me when I place those people and things before you. Help me to balance it all and keep my eyes set before you as you lead me on this day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.