Choosing Stillness

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Being still has been my constant nemesis. This could be the reason that the first song I wrote was called “Be Still”. I have a hard time sitting still, focusing (I think I may have A.D.D….seriously), and putting things aside completely to spend time with God. I fill my life with busyness, I thrive on doing stuff…not necessarily entertainment but doing…cleaning, work, etc. These aren’t necessarily bad things but they are consuming things that steal my time with Jesus. I think if we all took a hard look at our schedules we could say we have plenty of time to spend with Him in our quiet times, study, prayer, worship. We know it is worth it!

Jennie says this week about stillness and time with God – “Only being with God is going to satisfy us!” In chapter 8, Jennie tells us that connection with God is the foundation for every other God-given tool we have to fight with.” We need His supernatural power to help us. God transforming our minds helps us recognize and name the lies trying to steal our joy, our peace, our attention. We have to spend time with Him.

Last year I led a study through a book called “Unseen” by Sara Hagerty and one of my favorite things was how Sara and her family honor the Sabbath. It may be a Friday but for that one day they unplug and focus their attention on Jesus. Oh how this is the desire of my heart and yet so hard for me to do.

“It has been said – and I think it is true – that the most valuable asset we possess is our attention, which prompts the question, to what are we attending?” – Jennie (Get Out of Your Head, pg 76)

As we continue on through this study, my prayer is that we begin to see and recognize and then lay aside the things that try to steal our time. Is it Netflix, social media trolling, even working around the house or trying to “keep busy”? Maybe it’s the start to our day that needs attention, wake up and get with Jesus before the day’s tasks invade our thoughts, before the scrolling and trolling. Block out the noise and choose silence.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,” Jesus said, “and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gently and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30