Be Still PAGE 63

The front of the card from my Aunt Audrey!

In this rushed and busy time of year many of us fall into a frenzy of busyness.  In the well-meaning pursuit of spreading joy we exhaust ourselves to the point that we do not personally enjoy the blessings around us.  We can become so overwhelmed we overlook the gifts of family, friendship, and the spirit of goodness that is meant to beckon our hearts into that divine place of gratefulness and appreciation during this blessed time of year.  I am one such person.  With all the activities of the season keeping me busy I did not truly find the time to remember the reason for the season.  Of course I had good intentions and with a heart full of hope I truly tried but the material realm in which we live is so material-driven that my spirit simply held on for the ride. 

Two days after Christmas I found myself home from the holidays with the lull of the after-party soothing my mind.  In this blessed silence the Lord chose to speak to me in the most profound way because He knew that in the stillness I would hear Him and, frankly, He had something to say! I write these things down and share them because it’s my heart’s hope that you see how God speaks to us and to also show you that when He speaks with such kindness, using a particular emphasis, we should be amazed.  It’s easy to overlook God’s voice or simply call certain things coincidence- but I’ve learned that God works within irony and that truly nothing is coincidental or ironic. Here is the blessing I want to share:

December 27th, waking before my family I took our dog, Jimbo, for a morning walk.  The day was starting off quietly for many reasons; one being that the Texas wind wasn’t blowing, though it usually is.  With my cup of coffee I walked behind Jimbo as he explored.  We came up to the creek that had recently been full of rushing rain water and yet this morning the water was oddly still.  Immediately I thought of the scripture that says The Lord "leads me beside still waters”.  I felt this remembrance ushered some holiness into my day and with reverence acknowledged that I was walking beside still waters.  My heart was grateful that God was near. I truly appreciated His momentary presence, thanked Him and moved along. 

Back at home I began going through the mail, particularly the Christmas Cards that I had received while we were gone for the holidays and I opened the most beautiful card from my sweet Aunt Audrey.  It simply read “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)   Interestingly, it displayed a stunning picture of a snow-ladened creek sitting among the woods with its water as still as the day I was experiencing! It was a poignant reminder to me, yet again, of God’s presence. I truly felt awed by the parallel message and I told myself I’d keep that card forever, in honor of my aunt, and then opened my daily devotional entitled Jesus Calling to do my daily reading.  The date, of course, was December 27^th so I begin reading that page.  The second sentence of that devotional says, “Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you.”

HERE is where we all need to pause in stillness for a moment.  God spoke and He spoke and He spoke using the word Still or Stillness!  It is undeniable that my day was starting off full of irony-but, like I already stated; nothing in this world is truly ironic and God works within irony!  I knew that God was speaking and I  knew that, spiritually, I needed to be still and pray over this amazing experience!  So in awed stillness I went to the Lord in prayer and quoted the 23^rd Psalm knowing that within this passage and prayer I'd find more of what God was trying to tell me:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside still waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

For you are with me;

Your rod and your staff,

They comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

All the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

FOREVER.”

Psalm 23

This scripture means many things to many people.  It is a well-known scripture that has comforted humanity for centuries.  After I prayed and acknowledged God’s gift of mercy through this profound scripture and through three encounters with the simple directive to be still, I went and opened my Bible to Psalm 23 and several applicable truths God wanted me to meditate on leaped off the page.  Here they are: 

·      He restores my soul- due to my sinfulness I needed a reminder of this in a profound way.

·      I will fear no evil – I needed to be reminded fear is NOT from God

·      I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever – I needed to be reminded that I am forever HIS-no matter what!  God knew I needed this powerful reminder of what my future holds.

On this December 27th God targeted my spiritual being in a profound way.  God called out to me three times to tell me that He was near! As I walked by the creek He reminded me that He is present in my life.  Through the Christmas card He reminded me to be still and acknowledge that He is God- (He is large and in charge).  Then, through my daily devotional, He talked to me and flat told me to be still so that He can strengthen me.  He knew I was in a weakened state and needed a reminder that through faith I will be sustained and that He will strengthen me so that I can get through any struggle and any pain, shame, disappointment or sorrow that comes my way.  In the wake of a new year I just wanted to inspire you with the best New Year's Resolution EVER:  that you can "OVERCOME" as well! 

Wishing you the Happiest of New Years!  May you remember to seek God’s voice within the ironic and may you see Christ’s work in the coincidental.  May the Lord’s merciful love fill your heart and home, today and always! 

RvH

Song Recommendation:

Still

By:  Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3wwWFsSlNQ