Be Still and Know That I am God

February 11, 2015

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He says, "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

Right, be still. Sit and listen to God. Meditate on His Word. Wait for the Holy Spirit to talk to you... I am an expert multi-tasker (well, at least I think I am ). I always have at least ten tabs open on my laptop. I watch TV while I text while I surf Facebook. I cannot do just one thing at a time. In the mornings I try to fix my hair and put on my eye make-up at the same time. Sometimes, I try to throw in a little devotional reading or a quick glance at Timehop while I'm at it. Doing just one thing at a time seems like, well, a waste of time.  I always feel like I am running late and rushing to get where I need to be, so I've got to do as much as I can at one time.  Carving out time for just me and God was one of the hardest obstacles for me to overcome.

The thing I've discovered is that once you make your Quiet Time a priority in your life, it becomes a necessity. I already get up really early to get ready for work, and I just don't think that it is humanly possible for me to get up an hour earlier (and be able to think coherently). Luckily, my prep period at school is the first period of the day, so while all the other teachers batten down the hatches and start teaching, I pull out my prayer journal and start talking to God. This time is sacred to me, and I guard it fiercely. I am usually able to get at least thirty minutes of prayer time in during this period, and I can only think of two or three times since December that something happened and kept me from getting in my time- a meeting or covering a class or preparing for my day- and boy were those days awful! It's amazing how different my attitude is when I start my day in God's Word and being thankful and prayerful.

Usually once I get home in the afternoon, I like to decompress and do a Bible study or prep for one of my small group classes-- I am a nerd, so I enjoying doing my "homework" for these classes. I also have a Bible-in-a-Year app that I read daily, usually before bed. Add to that a handful of devotionals that I am subscribed to via email, and I am pretty much immersed in the Word throughout the day. This is a drastic difference from where I was November 30th- the only time I had my Bible out was on Sunday morning to take notes during the sermon. I definitely wasn't spending between one and two hours every day studying, reading, and writing. But the thing is- I LOVE IT. It isn't a burden or a chore for me. I truly think I could do Bible studies and write in my prayer journal all day long. I jokingly asked Curtis if there was such a thing as a Methodist nun and was it too late for me to be one! But I wasn't really joking. Like I said, Quiet Time is no longer just a priority, it is the high point of my day. I crave it and look forward to it. I am frustrated when something interrupts it. I can't get enough of it.  It really does make all the difference in the world and I encourage you to find ways to fit it into your schedule. I know you are busy, but this is something that will change your life. 

December 10, 2014: I woke today and thought I was stressing about running late and where my black pants are, I didn't feel that stress that tends to overtake me. That sick feeling in my stomach wasn't present. I can only give You, God Almighty, the credit for that. I feel myself growing closer to You every day, every night. Each time I open myself to you in prayer, I feel my faith getting stronger. I am so blessed to know a living, all-powerful, all-loving God. You give me a peace and strength that is unsurpassed. I am able to withstand more than I thought possible. In spite of the sadness, stress, turmoil, etc. I believe and know You are here for me. 

I still have much to work on. I lashed out at one of my classes yesterday, so I know my temper got the best of me. I am still very lazy at home and I know I need to be eating healthier and taking care of this body you have given me. So I know self-control is another issue I need to work on. I want to be the type of person mentioned in 1 Peter, "Though they accuse [me] of doing wrong, they may see [my] good deeds and glorify God." I know that's a lifelong journey, but I don't want to die and my family and friends and co-workers think, "Well, she wasn't that nice anyway." Thanks for giving me the tools to change that. 

I wait patiently for Your will to be revealed in my life in Your timing, not mine. I thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins, so I may have eternal life, and now I want my earthly life to be one to make You proud of me. Continue to give me strength and peace and comfort when you know I need it most. When I am at my lowest, I will take strength from Christ's words- "Take courage! I am here!" I know I am not alone. I've got the greatest protector, Jesus Christ. Thank you for that gift!


4 comments :

  1. Like you, I am always multi-tasking. A few years ago I chose "Be" as my one little word. It was a word to be still, just be, be silent. I felt lime I was going a million different directions at once. Since that year I HAVE to just be. I find when I am still, I can hear Him.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. You've got a beautiful blog here. I love the design so much.

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  2. Waiting patiently for His revealed will is a wonderful example of the power of His quiet in your every day. I laughed at your opening revelation... being a expert multi-tasker... and then someone who craves quiet time. That isn't always a typical combination. I too, have to be busy doing something, resting and sitting are nearly impossible for me, but my morning is always reserved for Him. Just sitting and waiting for Him to meet me so I can start my day. When I miss it, it is a much different day.. and I wish I could hit redo. :)

    May your days always be full of His quiet grace.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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  3. I love studies and commentaries in addition to my daily time in His Word as well. And it completes the day. I absolutely agree--if for some reason I don't get a chance to dig into His Word one day then the entire day seems off.
    Blessings,

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  4. I'm reminded of what it feels like when I've been rushing throughout my day, so much so that I have almost forgotten to eat. As I'm preparing dinner I don't even really feel hungry; it's not until I sit down and start eating the nourishing food my body needs that I realize how hungry I actually am! And then it's like I can't get my fill fast enough,

    I think a similar thing happens when we're spiritually hungry. We don't recognize how famished our souls are until we start devouring the Bread of Life...time with Jesus fills us up, satisfying our every need while creating a craving in our hearts for MORE of the truth, peace, presence of God.

    Love hearing how God has transformed your life through a daily quiet time. Keep going, dear one!

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