Often when I preach, part of the challenge I offer involves taking the next step or taking a step up in life. The next step needs to be determined by the one making the step.
There is a time to be still and know that God is God. That may be your next step. A step to be still from your frantic worry and loco-motion, to know that God is in control of all things.
It is God who gives and sustains life. Stillness is one of the toughest steps to take, especially when your motto is to do something, even if it is wrong. If you are like me, a striver or one who goes from accomplishment to accomplishment, this will be a challenge. Being still may sound like and be a foreign concept to you.
If you have a bunch of questions and are hustling to get your questions answered, this step to be still, is for you. Take a moment, an hour, a day, or if necessary, a few days, to be still and know that God is God.
As you take that step up into stillness, know that He is God, and know that you are not God. So?
How about Covid-19? Psalms 46:10
How about dwindling finances? Psalm 46:10
How about health issues? Psalm 46:10
How about trials and tribulations? Psalm 46:10
How about the election results? Psalm 46:10
How about the loss of a loved one? Psalm 46:10
What about our messed up world? Psalm 46:10
Steps toward being still.
- Turn off the noise.
- Relax for as long as you need to. If you fall asleep you probably needed to. I often try to relax all the tense muscles in my body and the thoughts in my brain. If you are like me, you are wound so tight that relaxing may take awhile. Close your eyes if it helps you to relax.
- This may sound quirky but just hold your Bible, on your lap, or close to your heart. You do not have to think of an appropriate Scripture, just relax and know that God and His word is with you. Quit trying to figure out what you think He wants to hear from you. Allow God to do all of the talking in this still moment.
- It is His will for you to be close to Him. Quit thinking this is a waste of time, it isn’t. Try to clear your mind of everything created and spend all this time with the Creator. This could possibly be the closest you have been to God in a long time, or ever.
- You may sense His presence right away or you may have to clear your memory of all that has you up-tight, stressed, and worried, before you experience His presence. Be still and know that He is God.
- If you are having great difficulty turn to John 3:16 and read just a couple of words at a time. Experience the true meaning of the written word.
- You may look out a window or if you are outside take an appreciative look at God’s creation. Try to take all the buildings out of your thoughts. Just look at what He has created. Isn’t it awesome?
- The Holy Spirit will help you experience God’s presence as you do this.
- Allow God and you to get close and enjoy the moment.
- As you come out of a still time, there will be other steps you can take. We will talk about these in the near future. These steps lead to a better more fulfilled life.
To Master this Life Spend Time With the Master
A dear friend is in an assisted facility and as I spoke with Darlene on the telephone yesterday, I sensed her closeness to God. She was in a nursing home recovering from surgery when her husband, Rich, went to be with the Lord. There could be no funeral, she did not have a chance to say goodbye. She was alone and her memory was slipping a little. As we spoke yesterday she mentioned how much she missed her husband but she said God was good. She is in a home with a huge enclosed back porch that she enjoys sitting on. As we spoke she mentioned a cat at the edge of the property and the squirrels running around in the yard. Her voice would quiver and there were tears as we remembered how good God has been. She said much of her day was quiet and she felt blessed for the peace that she was experiencing. She told me it was quiet but she expected God will call her name someday soon and she was ready. I praise God for our time together.
Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it
must be taken one step at a time.
Lyndon B. Johnson