Stillness

Two days, two verses.  I think God is saying something here!

Psalm 46:10  Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted in the earth.  

Psalm 37:7  Be still in the Presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.  Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.  

Two admonishments to " be still."  Oh, that is so difficult for us human "doings!"  Run, rush, hurry....do, do, do!  Lists and lists of lists....But to just take time to sit in God's presence, wait on His timing...these are gifts of the Lord.  The quiet peaceful patience of trust.  I long to live there.  All too often though, it's as if the Lord gives us these beautifully wrapped boxes, filled with His good gifts of peace, joy, love....we open them, oohhing and ahhing over their beauty then proceed to stick them up on a shelf and forget about them.  What the heck!!!

 I don't think this "being still" is to be limited to our prayer time either.  I think it's an attitude of the heart.  I know this God visit is Him telling me to get to this place.  It's where He wants me, all of us to live.  The 23rd Psalm comes to mind:  The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.  

I feel like my stress level as been off the charts lately.  I know this is not from God, not His plan nor His desire for me.  But I can't seem to come out of it.  And yet He calls me to stillness in His presence.  Perhaps spending more time just sitting at His feet is the answer.  Remember, it was Martha, the one who was busy and doing, that was stressed and fretting while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and just absorbed His life and light.  I love the pictures the Bible gives that help us live and grow in the Lord.

Today I will practice being still in God's presence.  Not just now, as I sit in the peacefulness of prayer and study, but when I go out "there," to the crazy bustle of the world, where people don't play by my rules (and how utterly annoying is that!!  LOL) and circumstance conspire to derail my faith and my determination.  And lets not forget, God has His own plan for my day that usually doesn't follow my script!!  Throw that into the mix as well....Lord, it will take Your power to keep me still, peaceful and trusting.  LOL

Be still and know....!

Lord, I want with all my heart to be able to rest in You no matter what is transpiring around me.  Or even in my physical body or my emotions.  You tell us we are given the peace that passes understanding, yet so often I, and I'm sure many who are reading this forfeit that peace by allowing "life" to get in the way, get inside our souls and stir up worry, anger, frustration....But You are in charge and You love us.  Teach us all to be still in Your Presence, lead us in the way of peace.  I know this is not, cannot be of myself....only a work of the Spirit within me.  I yield myself to You in this. Help me to submit, not just now in my prayer closet, but as I step into the world outside my door.  Let Your peace be evident in all I do.  Every thought, every word, every action for You.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Be still today.  Take time to just sit in the love of God.