In church as a young child, my dad used to constantly need to remind me to stop wiggling and listen. Sometimes God too commands us to "be still", but it's not meant to be a punishment. Rather, it's a place of safety- of meditation. God is the calm in the center of life's storms. But how often do we fail to stop and listen to that message?
"Be still and know that I am Lord"- Psalm 46:10
We find it so difficult to quiet ourselves down, to shut out all the external voices, stimulation, and things clamoring for our attention. And I think it's because we like it that way. We prefer all the noise because we're afraid to hear the convictions God places on our hearts. It's in the stillness, that we can better communicate with Him.
"But the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any sword, piercing to the soul, and discerning of thoughts and the hearts intentions."- Hebrews 4:12
There's a lot of articles on the internet telling you how to live your life and what to believe, and that plays into part of my hesitation in continuing writing. Words are powerful, and not always for good. My goal in putting my fingers to these keys is to be vulnerable and invite each of you to walk along side me through some of my own personal devotions. Because community is also powerful and the world is a needy place. Let's not go there for sustenance. Only by finding completeness in Our Savior can we go and help others without using them to meet our needs. Only if we live in the light of Our Savior, can our light shine brightly into the world and the lives of others. So let's each make it a goal, not a punishment, to set aside more "quiet time" through reflection, meditation, and God's Word.
I challenge each of you, my friends, to take a few minutes out of your busy day today to go outside, find a quiet spot, lift your face to the sunshine, and spend a few minutes in heartfelt prayer. That's it. That's all I have to say for now. No new message, no new anecdote. Simply sit, pray, and meditate on the awesome power of our Creator and the beauty that is your life. I promise it will do your soul good.
