“What would you like me to do next?” I asked our son Daniel.
“Be still!” came his wise, witty reply.
Visiting Daniel’s home for a rare overnight stay, I wanted to be helpful, knowing his new business venture was proving time and labor intensive.
I smiled at his response and realized my bustling about apparently was not proving as beneficial as I had hoped.
“Be still? I think I will!” I responded with a smile AND a sigh of relief. After all, relaxing does not come naturally to me, but I am more than willing to work at it when coaxed even just a little!
I settled into a comfy spot on Daniel’s screened porch and opened Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, the novel a dear friend had recommended and for which I had waited several weeks as #38 in the “Hold” queue at our local library. Needless to say, it was worth the wait. Heartwarming, refreshing and restorative, this book encourages stillness and invites the reader to savor the beautifully crafted sentences as well as ponder the characters’ intriguing interactions.
Caroline Howard’s Goodreads review says it better:
“…Theo of Golden is a peaceful respite and a hope-filled story. This book made me want to live a life more like Theo — one focused on generosity, listening intently, being curious, living humbly and others-focused, and slowing down…”
Ahhh, there it is again — the invitation to slow down, be still, and in so doing (or NOT doing!), find purpose and satisfaction.
Of course, God’s Word offers the same.
On his website, Bible Study for You, Pastor David offers 25 verses about “Being Still and Trusting God in our Stillness.” You may benefit as I did from reading a few. He explains the value of stillness in this way:
In our busy lives, it can be challenging to pause and take a moment for ourselves. Being still means to quiet our minds, hearts, and spirits, allowing God’s presence to fill us with peace and understanding. Being still can be a powerful way to show our trust in the Lord. When we take time to pause…, we create space for His voice to guide us. Trusting God in our stillness reminds us that He is in control, even when life’s storms surround us.
One of my daily prayers is that God will help me do “All, but Only” what He calls me to. However, it is my responsibility and privilege to be still long enough in His presence to discern precisely what that means. Otherwise, my natural tendency is to bustle about busily in multiple directions searching for the next “helpful” thing to do. I sometimes need a reminder that often the most powerful, productive action is coming to stillness for a time.
This week, won’t you join me in that challenge?
Father,
Thank you for Your reminders that stillness brings peace, focus, rest and renewed zest! Teach us to be still and know that You are God.
In the name of our Savior who modeled the sustaining strength of stillness. Amen.
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.’
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress”
(Psalm 46:10-11 NIV).
Please join the VERY Wobbly Warbler in singing and learning these verses!
