Be Still

I haven't written for a while because I was actually being still.  God had been talking to me about being still and quieting my spirit so I finally decided to answer the call.  I took time for me, away from the madness, away from the pain, just away.  I relaxed myself and took time to be still.  No I didn't sequester myself for days or weeks inside a monastery.  I still had familial duties and doctor visits but what I did was let go of all that worried me, i.e., bills, going back to work, my future ministry, next steps, treatment options, etc.  Even though I was going through a reconstruction process and discussing treatment options with my doctor, I still wanted to remain busy.  As you know I would rush to share a revelation in my blog, that God had given me.  I would rush to get and share the lesson so I could move on to the next.  I didn't like waiting.  I didn't like the notion of  being "in process" so I often looked for ways to be busy.  I acted as if I was in a relay race waiting for the baton to be handed to me so I could run the next leg of the journey.  But that all ended.  I decided to let it all go and just "be."  I decided to be still and know that God is God.

In Psalm 46:10 the phrase "be still" is defined as follows:
 (accessed from  http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7503&t=KJV)

1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened

a) (Qal)

1. to sink down
2. to sink, drop
3. to sink, relax, abate
4. to relax, withdraw

b) (Niphal) idle (participle)

c) (Piel) to let drop

d) (Hiphil)

1. to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake
2. to let go
3. to refrain, let alone
4. to be quiet

e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack

Being still means more than stopping movement.  It means letting go.  I had to let stuff go.  I had to abandon some thoughts and forsake a way of being.  I had to refrain from bombarding God with the same stuff as if God didn't know about it or didn't hear me the first 100 times.  I had to relax and enjoy the moment.  I had to withdraw from people and busy-ness.  I had to sink down, abate, and be quiet.  I had to be still.

I realize that as women most of us do not have the luxury of being still.  Our lives are so hectic and every minute of the day is scheduled and regimented.  I want to encourage you, though, to be still.  Even while driving, turn off the radio and be still.  As Jodeci used to say in a song, "don't talk, just listen."  Listen for God.  Listen for that still small voice.  At home find a quiet spot and just be still.  Sit in silence and do nothing.  Even if it is just for a minute or two, do it. 

I had a friend tell me once that when she didn't have time to establish a full blown devotional with God (because of her two small children) she would just ask God to sanctify the one or two minutes she did have.  Another woman shared that while at work, she would go to her closet to pray and be still so she could center herself for the rest of the day.

I want to encourage you to just take a moment to be still.  Be quiet.  Let go, let drop, refrain and abandon those things that distract you from the awesomeness of God.  Forsake that which causes you to view God in ways that is uncharacteristic of God, i.e., thinking God doesn't love you because your prayers haven't been answered, thinking that God doesn't know how you feel, etc.  God is love.  God knows all, sees all and is everywhere at all times.  God knows your thoughts afar off and before you were even born God knew all about you.  You are chosen by God so rest in God.  Rest and relax.  Thank God for what God has done in your life.  Thank God for what God has kept you from (that's why some of your prayers haven't been answered because God kept some stuff away from you that would harm you.)  Be still and know that God is God.  Choose the one thing that is needful (Luke 10:38-42) and that is to be still.

I know it is not easy but it is necessary.  So my sister, Be still and know that God is God.

 

Until next time,

Shalom

Tasha

Read Luke 10:38 - 42 (Mary and Martha) and Psalm 46 (emphasis on verse 10)