Monday, October 9, 2017

And Still, Be Still

Stillness. Quietness. Peacefulness. The absence of movement and sound. Something we crave yet we can't seem to find the time to Be. Still. Hush. Be Quiet. Be Still.

Be still, in the morning as you take your first breath before you open your eyes and check the time.

Be still, before the day's tasks get the best of you.

Be still, As you listen to your child's last-minute request or hear the fear in his voice as he faces the day.


Be still, when you're at crossroads with a big decision.

Be still, even with mass shootings, natural disasters, and politicians that are wreaking havoc.

Be still.

Be still and know that I am God. Be still so that you hear what He's trying to tell you. Be still so that you know how to act. Be still until your ears have tuned out the crazy thoughts in your brain and you are attuned to what He is saying.Today we call it being mindful or present. But the only way to do this is focused on the stillness where God is.

Mother Teresa expressed stillness this way: "We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence… .We need silence to be able to touch souls."

There are many ways to cultivate the habit of stillness; I've found it best when I wake up early in the morning, just sitting with my eyes closed and meditating on God's goodness. Some people set a timer, some people take deep breathes, some go to a quiet place. But the essence of stillness is to focus on God. In the stillness, knowledge of God grows and you need not be hampered by your circumstances.

And when you have cultivated the habit of focusing on the stillness, it is not for naught. There is peace; there is clarity and there is an additional reward. As you continue to live, you will still flourish and produce fruit because God's faithfulness has been evident in your life.


But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age, they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. Psalms 92:12-14



 Did you catch the second part of that verse? In old age, you will still produce fruit. As a Godly person, still seeking God, there's not a point in time when you're not reaping the benefits of being still with God, of knowing God and serving Him.

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17,18 


What had come before the yet? What comes before your yet? We too continue to serve. But his continuance is greater than ours. We should not give up or lose heart for He is more faithful than we could ever be. And still, be still.

Still. Not moving and continuing; we are not moving as we continue to allow God to work. He is not still, but we need to be.

Psalms 46 mirrors our world, yet at the end of it the Psalmist could say:
Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10

Have you cultivated the habit of being still while knowing God is still God?

--Nylse

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10 comments:

  1. Psalm 46:10 has been my favorite, and go-to verse for years. There is something about those words, 'Be still' that stops everything inside of me and redirects my focus back to God.
    You wrote a beautiful post about being still, listening and waiting; if more of us would do this, I do believe the world would be a better place.
    I am your neighbor today at Soul Survival, God bless you!

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  2. "Even in old age ..." I'm glad to hear that, because I'm there! LOL

    It is so important to learn to be still. It's no wonder we have so much trouble hearing from God, we are surrounded by noise and business all the time.

    Thanks for the reminder.

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  3. Nylse, what a beautiful post. Psalm 46:10 is a verse I pray each night to still my mind so I can sleep. I'll be honest, our family is in a season where stillness is virtually non-existent. I like your suggestions to be still first thing in the morning. I need to incorporate that practice into my morning routine.

    I'm visiting from Jennifer Dukes Lee's place. It's so nice to "meet" you!

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  4. Wonderful words of wisdom here full of encouragement and hope.

    I have Psalm 46:10 in lettering over my desk in my home office. I wish I could say I practice this often, but I don't. :-(

    I LOVED the quote by Mother Theresa about God being found in the stillness.

    I leave here today edified. :-) Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I'm in old age too...well, young-old, on my way! I'm glad I can still be used by God in ministry!

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  6. So beautifully put. I need to cultivate being still in God more. The world is such a rush, and if I am not careful, it pulls me along. I need ot stop, breathe, and be still in my Lord more often. Thank you for inspiring me today.

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  7. Amen. Being still and knowing God is God. Everything is His to plan and figure out. If I seek Him, He provides the peace I need, even in the most tumultuous time.

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  8. I appreciate this encouragement to cultivate stillness. I've been chasing it this season, grabbing moments where I find them, and ever thankful for the way God meets me when I make even the least bit of effort.

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  9. Amen to stillness, Nylse. I took a "summer of rest" from a lot of my work this year so I could re-learn how to be still. I Like how you define it as mindfulness, and being present. Good word, today. :)

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  10. Nylse, thank you for this encouragement to be still. While I usually look forward to my moments of stillness with God in the early mornings, I'm finding it harder to make them happen during this time of transition. I welcome your prayers!
    Blessings to you.

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