It’s no secret that I’m a woman in motion. If it’s not the children who propel me it’s something else–but it’s always something. Last year, when My coach recommended that I “pursue waiting“, it was as if she’d spoken to me in a foreign language. Because honestly, while I love the vision I have of stillness, I find the whole concept somewhat intimidating and so very counter to my nature. The thing is, I didn’t really understand what that sort of stillness looks like.
What does it even mean to be “still” before the Lord. How on earth can one pursue waiting?
Exodus 14:14 says, The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still (or be silent, quiet).
Zachariah 2:13 says, Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling. Again, this stillness is not so much a physical stillness but a spiritual one–a quieting of a heart that doubts and complains and fears the ways of man.
In the 23rd Psalm, David wrote about God leading Him beside quiet (still) waters.
And my favorite verse on quietness, in Isaiah says, “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
God places value on times of quiet. I have found that it is in the quiet times, when I can hear Him best. As it is of value to Him, I am learning to value it myself. So, I’m quieting my heart. I’m saying no to things that I might otherwise have said yes to. I’m observing the Sabbth, thanks to the prompting of my friend, Shelly. I’m posting a little less.
I’m learning to trust, to wait–without fear or complaint. In quietness and trust. Stillness before the Lord is an active state of being.
I have learned, as I have launched this God-sized dream project this month, that waiting on the Lord is not only beneficial, but hugely critical. God is doing things through this book that I never imagined, and every time I turn around he reminds me through emails, and tweets and encouraging comments that this is HIS project, and that He is doing things–and that I don’t have to.
From me, He wants quiet, he wants trust–He requires faith. And so, that’s where I’m finding Him.
I’m letting go of distraction, I’m leaning into Him.
This week Holley asked us to share what we’re going to start doing in order to move closer to our God-sized dream. I’m practicing stillness. Next week we’re sharing a God-sized story that inspires us.
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