Be Still!

Before our almost one-year-old-son Jason started crawling, changing him used to be one of the best moments we treasured, because he couldn’t go anywhere during this process. We would have face to face contact, we would giggle, chat and everything was smooth, quick and enjoyable for him and us.

But since our son learned how to crawl, I find myself telling him: “Jason, please be still for a minute.” What I’m trying to tell him by this phrase is - please stop resisting, stop fighting, cease striving, it’s easier when you are still. Jason becomes still for about 15 seconds and then loses his focus and starts wiggling to reach out for unnecessary things at that moment. He is overwhelmed by distractions. Everything becomes a struggle all over again, as he is on the go once more and I’m trying my best to restrain him because we haven’t finished. What is supposed to be an enjoyable process turns out to be a difficult one, for both Jason and me.

This made me think. Are we fighting or resisting? Are we striving or ‘wiggling’ everywhere? Are we overwhelmed by distractions? Are we too quick to occupy our time with the Lord with other things that may seem to be urgent, rather than being still in the Lord?

Things can be a lot smoother when we are still in the Lord. It’s only in the stillness that we can know that He is God. Being still is for our benefit and no time is then wasted.

Jesus told Martha that Mary has chosen the best place. What was that best place? The best place was being still at the feet of Jesus. While Martha was ‘wiggling’ everywhere, trying to do things that seemed urgent at that moment, she had too much distraction and missed out on a lot. Martha’s distraction was being upset and worried about all the details. Why are we upset and worried about details, when we can choose to be still at the feet of Jesus and see His salvation?

God knows what is best for us. He knows how enjoyable His presence will be in the midst of all the storms, calamities and pressure of life, if we would just be still.
When we are still, we grasp more of who God is and how awesome He is. We will see His greatness, His plans and His intention for us. It’s in this stillness that we will see the salvation of the Lord. Everything else will shrink and grow strangely dim. Exodus 14:14 reminds us that ‘The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still’.

Prayer: Lord, please help me to find and create moments to be still in You. Help me not to rush those moments of being in Your stillness. Thank You, that You want and desire to spend quality time with me. Help me to be available for You. In Jesus` name, Amen.