Mama gently placed her hand on my nervously moving leg, as if to say without words, “Calm down.” She didn’t need to say anything; she didn’t even make eye contact with me. She simply touched me with that mama touch.
I’m one of those who has mistakenly lived many years with the belief that “busy equals progress.” And movement was evidence of busy. So, the goal was always to make good use of my time being (what I thought was) productive. After all, lack of activity meant that you were wasting time. Who has time to waste, right? Either you’re awake and producing or you’re asleep.
The concept of sitting still seemed so foreign and other-worldly to me. When my three children were still yet very young, I was then on the move, teaching my classes at the gym, training clients in their home and at the gym, attending Bible studies (yes, that’s plural) and tending to the domestics.
Little did I know that my littles had taken notice of my activities. Until one day, my youngest child was describing the mother of one of his friends. His words were: ” … and she’s like you, mom, she doesn’t sit down much … ” At first I wasn’t quite sure how to receive that. Was it a compliment? Or a straight up observation? Was it a good thing or a bad thing? A negative or positive impact on my children?
This I do now realize: there is a time to be still.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7 ESV
The Lord is fighting for you! So be still!” Exodus 14:14 GW
It is in the absence of external busyness that we can focus on the internal miracle. GOD with us: Immanuel.
LINDA R. JOHNSON
There is a time when I need to put myself in park and let GOD speak into my space, my face and my soul. And I’ll confess to you here that it’s not an easy task. I literally have to mark it in my calendar and treat it as an appointment that is non-negotiable. This may sound odd to some folks, but when you’re distracted by fleeting thoughts that run past your view or the peripheral squirrels (you know what that means if you’re of the same nature), but it works.
Katy McCown, author of: “She Smiles Without Fear,” taught me to go to my ‘secret place’ (that place reserved for meeting up with the Lord) with my hardcopy Bible (I know we have digital devices, but for this use a brick ‘n’ mortar version — thank you, Lisa Harper), journal and pen. And with an expectant and humble heart, just spend time in communion with GOD. Tell Him what is on your heart and listen for what He whispers into yours.
Honestly, sitting still can difficult for me, much less for several minutes. Yes, you will need to commit to more than the usual two-minute devotional from your favorite Bible App. And prepare yourself for an awakening: there are some days where GOD seems silent. GOD’s silence is not interpreted into absence. When we learn how to still ourselves, He is able to show us Who He is. It’s that moment where we learn how to trust and rest in Him.
I will say that this changed the way I approach the Lord. I’m least likely (not perfected yet) to launch into my ‘heartfelt needs of the day’ list right from the start. To acknowledge GOD for Who He is first — Holy — changes the ‘conversation’ moving forward.
Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Matthew 6:9 NLT
Some days, I am instantly calmed and able to articulate the highs and lows of my heart and mind. And then there are some days where it’s like soup in my head — like clam chowder — cloudy and very opaque, but it’s packed with all sorts of things floating around in there.
I know He knows what’s all in there and how difficult it is for me to speak it out loud. That’s the other part. While we know that GOD can see what’s in our minds, we need to use our voice to speak it out and hear ourselves utter the words that are buried deep in those hidden corners.
Starting with this holy stillness (if I may say this), settles me down and allows for the holy communion to proceed. Preparing my heart, mind and soul to meet up with the living and true GOD.
Giving way for the Holy Spirit to minister to me in written Word as I open my Bible to seek His Face in the Wisdom of what is right in front of me. Diving deeper still into the cross-references in the margins of the pages continues to fuel and feed this anxious soul. Feasting on the hard work of the scholars who put the footnotes together to guide me into a greater understanding of what I’m reading.
Stillness. Jesus used it to calm a raging storm.
Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Mark 4:39 The Message
Anyone else need to visualize this? I have many times, Friend. And to be honest, I’ve cried out for Jesus to calm my storm(s) just so that I can focus on the moment — so I can be present in the moment.
Calm the raging troubled waters of your space by inviting Jesus to occupy it with you. It is there you will find Peace in that stillness. He awaits you to join Him.
Stillness. Pray. Seek. Repeat.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
Titus Two 