I've noticed over the last several years that many people have a word of the year going into New Year's. A word they feel they are to focus on, live by or strive to develop in themselves. I'm not one of those people. I'm not one to set New Year's resolutions either. It's just not something I've ever done. This year though the phrase from Psalm 46:10, "Be still" was unexpectedly given to me by more than one person. I wasn't even looking for it. The third time it came to me was on a prayer box my girls got me for Christmas, from TJ Max of all places. They weren't specifically looking for that item or that phrase. I decided by this time, I should probably pay attention because God must be trying to tell me something...
"Be Still"...what does that even mean? I used to think it meant slow down, you're doing too much. We can be like that; doing so many things, sometimes all really good things. Sometimes all God things. But we can pile on so much that we lose the real purpose in it all and burn ourselves out.
When I realized God wanted me to grab hold of "Be still" for this season, I began wondering why. What does it mean for me right now? I sensed this urging to seek that out. And what better way than with a new devotional entitled "Be Still"? So, the search began. I spent days searching for the right devotional that would lead me to understanding. But as I read each description and review, I couldn't settle on any particular study. What I found is that there are a lot of devotionals with pretty covers and the title "Be Still". They have a nice neat page for each day containing a scripture, thought and prayer for the day all tucked into this tidy little box of someone else's thoughts and understanding. I just couldn't settle on any that fit what I was feeling led to. What I discovered through this search is that God is asking me to be willing to go outside the lines and confines of a tidy little box. To sit in his presence, praise him, honor him, experience him, dig into his word and discover for myself what he is saying. Sometimes, it is helpful for us to see someone else's perspective and understanding but for me in this moment, God is calling me to read for myself what His word is speaking. What He is speaking into my life. That is a little scary because I have relied on other's thoughts and understanding in devotionals for years. As a matter of fact, I rely heavily on my study bible to help me understand a lot of scripture.
So far, I'm a week into sitting with God's word differently. Reading and rereading. Sitting in the quiet and stillness of His presence. Writing what I sense God is saying to me each day. Today, the scripture at the bottom of the page of my journal was Psalm 136. It is good to be reminded of what God has done for others, but what about all has he done in my life that has shown his faithful love. I rewrote this scripture replacing the "Give thanks to the Lord who..." with my own story. The times I've experienced God's faithfulness in my life. His faithful love endures forever. He has been faithful over and over again in so many ways. He has been faithful in times I had forgotten about as life goes on and gets busy. What a good reminder to me today~ He was faithful then, he'll be faithful now.
Take time to listen and reflect on your Psalm 136:
Faithful Now by Vertical Worship
