It's no surprise that one of the things I am terrible at doing is being still. I'd much prefer to be out and about, catching up with friends, playing sport, helping others, basically doing anything but sit still, especially on my own. But one of the big problems about not being still is that it's easy to be too busy to spend time with God. Even though I might be busy running around doing things for God, I'm often too busy to spend quality time with God and simply enjoy being in relationship with him. The past couple weeks I've been really challenged to be thinking what it means to be still, and know that God is God, so that He is the one who is exalted among the nations and in the earth (Ps 46:10). It's challenging, scary and humbling to realise that my busyness often leads me to (unintentionally) make me think that I am important, valued, that I have the ability to solve all problems. Instead of exalting God through my life, I am effectively exalting myself. But as I've sat still and meditated on God's Word, God began to teach me some things about what it means that He is God. Suddenly lots of things in my life were put into perspective and I was soon reminded where I really fit into the picture. It's not all about me, it's about God. In understanding God's character more, I was reminded of the extent of my sinfulness and need for God's forgiveness. It helped me to better comprehend the magnitude of God's grace and mercy when he sent Jesus to die on the cross to bring me into relationship with Him and the need for me to change my life to be one that brings Him glory. But I can't change through my own ability, strength or will power (that'd just be exalting myself again), instead it's about turning to God and asking Him for strength to help me change. Most amazingly, to know that God is God has enabled me to begin to let go of some things that I hold dear in this world, that take my focus off God, so that he alone will be exalted through my life. As scary as it is to think about some of the changes that this might mean for my life, to 'be still, and know that I am God' has amazing comfort as it also reminds us that God is also our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble. To know God means that there is nothing that we need to fear because God is with us and is our fortress (Ps 46:1-2, 7,11).
After only a few days of being 'still', God has already taught and challenged me with so much. I'm excited to think about all the other things God still has to teach me about himself as I am still and know that He is God.
For those who pray, please pray:
- that I will be still and know that God is God.
- that I will allow him to be working in my life and changing me to be someone who brings him all the glory he alone deserves.
- that I will turn to God as my fortress, refuge and strength.
After only a few days of being 'still', God has already taught and challenged me with so much. I'm excited to think about all the other things God still has to teach me about himself as I am still and know that He is God.
For those who pray, please pray:
- that I will be still and know that God is God.
- that I will allow him to be working in my life and changing me to be someone who brings him all the glory he alone deserves.
- that I will turn to God as my fortress, refuge and strength.
