Be Still…Who, Me?

“Be still and know I am God,” Psalm 46:10

Monday:

Alarm ringing.

Late again.

Child screaming.

Broken glass.

Milk spilled.

Pets unfed.

Lost mitten.

Polar vortex!

Misplaced boot.

Broken zipper.

Dirty floor.

Be still and know, I am God.

How do I have time to be still, you might well wonder.  Yet, that is the great paradox of faith: we must trust what we cannot see.  Do I truly believe the promise, “I will supply all your needs.”? (Philippians 4:19) Do I trust that if I do what God is calling me to do, that He will indeed make sure what needs to get done, indeed gets done?

Reflection: How can I find peace and be still before God, in a world filled with chaos?

Tuesday:

Looming deadline.

Car battery died.

New Health Insurance.

Work physical.

Diet changes.

Exercise plan.

Layoffs announced.

New manager.

New policies.

“Be still and know I am God.”

Even when daily life is uncertain, overwhelming, and just constant chaos; there is someone desiring to give us peace.  He knows even more about the details of life than we do.  He knows when our jobs will change before we get the notice.  He knows the diagnosis on before we experience the symptoms. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

We need to be still and let Him exchange our panic for peace.

Reflection: Am I choosing chaos over His peace?

Wednesday:

Home late.

Cluttered floor.

Cluttered furniture.

Hungry kids.

What’s for dinner?

Homework help:

Inverse Property(?)

Kid’s bubble bath.

Story time.

Hugs and kisses.

Dirty dishes.

Unpaid bills.

How often do I see burdens in my blessings?  Instead of looking at a sink, (and a counter) full of dirty dishes as the evidence of a well-fed family, I see a monumental mess!

Instead of seeing my children’s toys, books, and electronics, which are scattered around my house, as evidence of healthy, inquisitive, and very blessed lives; I see clutter, which needs picked up NOW!

Instead of sitting down to a stack of bills as a reminder of how blessed I am, that we can pay for heat in a cold winter, and we earned enough this year for the government to tax us; I sour at the thought of doing one more thing that night.

“Be still and know, I am God.”

He’s placed each of us here on this earth, where and when we should live.  He has ordered our lives.  He has blessed our days, even the difficult ones.  We must choose to search for that blessing.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Reflection:  How can I focus on the positive, to see the blessings of my chaotic life?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe4SckesWLE‎

Thursday:

Warm weather.

Birds singing.

Clean house.

Clean car.

Good food.

Wife happy.

Kids quiet.

Grass green.

Flowers blooming.

All’s well.

Be still and know I am God.

Does the prayer time slack off in the midst of constant bliss?  Do we remember to praise God and take time for Him, when all is well?  We don’t know what He’s up too, but in enjoying the blessings of each day, we must remember to thank Him for our lives.  We must come before Him, silent our cell phones, our racing thoughts, and our hammering hearts.  Ask what He has for us to do today.

Reflection: How often do I communicate with God when all is well?

Friday:

How is your approach to Psalm 46:10 now?  Do you see it as simply something to offer in time of need, to comfort a hurting soul?  It does offer comfort, but it’s also a command. If you have dedicated yourself to Christ, if you really want to live a Christ-centered life; then your hours, your words, your actions are not your own.

There is a plan for your life.  There is a plan for your day.  There is a plan for this moment.  Maybe we’re all ready to ask God what that plan is.

Prayer: Dear Father,  You know the plans you have for me.  You love me.  You created me to do good works.  Please let me not get distracted with this life that I miss my calling.  Please, help me not to be so enamored with this life, that I miss building a relationship with You.  May I remember that You can and You do use everything for good, and that no matter what ‘stuff’ I’m dealing with today, You will use it in Your great plan.  Thank you for Your forgiveness and Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks for reading!  Please return by Monday, February 17, for the next post.