Theme: REST
Scripture: Psalm 46:10a The New International Version
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.
Devotional:
You will probably notice that this blog post is a day late. And you will also notice the theme is REST. Perhaps you're *now wondering how these two sentences are related :) Well...
Last night, after a week of intense emotional lifting (see post from Wednesday, February 21) I sat at the computer and realized that I was EXHAUSTED. I started to write - and stopped. I started again -and this time I completed one sentence - and stopped. Again.
I decided - in that moment - to STOP, listen to what my body was telling me, which was go home and BE STILL, and to pick up and try again today! So...I did (hence no blog post)
Eureka! Success!
I was clear, there was something in my spirit that was telling me to BE STILL. It was more than my physical exhaustion. It was more than my emotional fatigue. My spirit commanded, BE STILL!
I listened.
And that's the whole of the story from last night. I didn't write a blog. I stopped. I listened. That's it. That's all!
This morning during my devotion, I pondered what Spirit (THE Spirit) was speaking to me about today's blog. I had a specific prayer that I went to bed with last night and was longing to hear a response. And I did.
To be clear, I don't always hear a response when *I want the answer. No, it doesn't happen like that, for me. But this morning, it did.
I listened. I heard. I will obey. (And I will share more about *that when the time is right!)
For you, I invite you, too, into a posture of BE(ing) STILL! Hear what Spirit is speaking. Listen. Hear. OBEY!
Prayer:
God, help me to BE STILL. Selah.
Reflection Question:
Has God/Spirit ever commanded you to BE STILL? Did you listen? Was it difficult? Did you learn anything in BE(ing) STILL?
One of my absolute fav’ Scriptures. Yes. At first, no, how could I just stop all, potentially create issues for myself. Then, yes, so much so that I now comfortably, for the most part, always listen, do, and no matter my day’s line-up, almost no matter where I am, what I’m doing, period.
ReplyDeleteI’ve done it at church, not left the pew with all, was last to leave an event/meeting room, literally turning off the lights. Sat outside in our Labyrinth. Several times immediately pulled into a park, I was about to drive by, parked.
- all surprised me.
As I’ve come to this, more and more, I’ve learned the nourishing nature, appreciated that moments pivot in me, my day, to hear, do “Be Still”, grateful.
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart and your process. It is difficult to do - at first, And the more you listen, the easier it is to BE STILL. It is one of my FAVES too! In fact, it is painted/posted on my wall in my FCC office. Be Still. Even typing it now, I am calm and listening...and still! Blessings to you on this journey!
DeleteThese are very good questions. I know God wants me to be still, listen and ask for guidance through prayer before I make a difficult or controversial decision. But to be still, rest and wait in the stillness for what God wants me to do next in general, I don't know if I have experienced that. My Type A personality usually prevents me from resting because if I sit down, I'm usually so tired that I fall asleep. But I think carving out a part of the day (before I get too tired) to be still, rest and wait for God's voice is a practice I'd like to work on. Thanks for the insights.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a Type A Personality, First Born, Self-Proclaimed Perfectionist and so I know - quite intimately - how difficult it is to sit, wait, and listen for the next. In fact, I mostly, usually think I already know what's next/best and then I sometimes move according to *that plan. God has stopped me in my tracks and said, "whoa, daughter, I did not give you *that work to do. Stop. Be Still." Admittedly, it is hard. I mean really hard. And yet, I try. Prayers for you as you begin to incorporate new practices into your day. And blessings on the journey!
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