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I’m about to admit something that may drop me into the “not so awesome” category of Christian girls. Assuming categories of Christian girls exist, that is. Here we go:
Sometimes I get really frustrated when people tell me to “be still.” You know, quote the Bible verse “Be still and know that I am God.”
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great verse. And it’s something I’ve blogged on in the past. I absolutely believe rest, spending alone time with our Creator is so important and so necessary.
But sometimes when someone tells me to “be still” I want to toss up my hands and say “how?”
Or perhaps more accurately, “HOW?!?!?!”
How…when I’m basically working two full-time jobs and trying to stay connected with friends and family and at least halfway in shape and not living in too gross of a domestic state?
How…when I feel like I’ve already trimmed everything I possibly can from my schedule?
How…when I can’t just ignore people and commitments?
If I sound overly upset here, I’m not. For the most part, I really love this season of life and though I’m a little more frazzled than usual these days, I realize that complaining would be crazy. Because I’m currently living one of my dreams. And despite the work and the busyness, I’m loving the ride. (Plus, I know there are probably moms out there rolling their eyes at the thought of someone who isn’t a mom feeling frazzled. LOL!)
And yet I was feeling a little guilty this week, comparing myself to women who invest several hours a week in Bible study groups or make it to women’s ministry stuff at church. I was thinking, has my to-do list turned me all Martha-y when the Bible tells me I’m supposed to be more like Mary? And would I be a better person if I found something, anything, to quit or cut from my schedule?
Would I be a better person if I was…stiller?*
But in the midst of my melodramatic “Am I a failure of a Christian woman?” thoughts, I got one of those “Hold on a sec” spiritual nudges. You know, when you sorta stop short and realize perhaps your perspective is a little off. When God cuts through your own foggy thinking and whispers a needed truth.
And here’s where I landed mentally after those whispers:
Maybe my definition of “be still” is all wrong.
Maybe “being still” doesn’t always mean spending three hours of devotion time in the morning. Not that that wouldn’t be nice. Or attending a women’s Bible study. Not that that’s not good. Or sitting quietly, praying and meditating. Not that that isn’t important.
Maybe “being still” has less to do with a physical state or presence.
Maybe it’s a state of mind. Or heart.
Maybe it’s more about letting the truth of God’s love and faithfulness and promise to be with me so fully infiltrate my everyday life that whether I’m having quiet time on my bed in the morning or running around during the workday or revising scenes and writing blogs at night…I’m at peace mentally and emotionally.
Maybe being still is just as possible when I’m working through my daily responsibilities, checking items off lists, standing up to my workload and completing chores as when I’m sitting in a church pew.
Because maybe—definitely—God is just as present when my hands are busy as when they’re not.
After all, in the Bible He promises to be with us always. Which means He must be as present in the rush of life as in the rest.
And it just may be that when I’m at my most busy and frazzled, I have the most opportunity to depend on God. And the more I learn to depend on Him, the less I try to do on my own. And the less I try to do on my own, the more my heart is still.
Rest and relaxation, physical stillness, it’s good and necessary, true.
But it’s also true, I’m realizing now, that there’s more than one way to “be still.”
What do you think?
*I really wanted to make some kind of Ben Stiller Zoolander joke here…
Comments 31
Oh I agree! It’s a heart thing more than anything else. Praying for your heart to feel at peace even when your commitments call to you. You are in a busy season and God will see you through.
Thanks bunches for the encouragement, Lisa!
I think you nailed it, Melissa. Being still doesn’t mean doing nothing. My definition? Let go and let God. Don’t try to force doors open…go through the ones He opens and enjoy the journey.
“Don’t try to force doors open.” Good, sound advice, Pat!
I’ve been wrestling with the whole “frazzled” thing too, Melissa — for lots of good God’s-opened-these-doors reasons.
And your spiritual nudge about “Be Still” just provided me a breath o fresh air emotionally and spiritually.
Isn’t it funny when we feel SO busy and people tell us we have to let something go and yet, we’re like, but God opened these doors. So He has a reason for asking us to walk through them, busyness and frazzledness and all, right? 🙂 I’ve loved email chatting with you today, Beth. You are the coolest! 🙂
Be Still is a hard one. Letting God have the control. Quiet the mind and just let happen will happen. If what you are doing is what God wants you will have all the time you need. Sometimes we put to much in our lives it is us that makes it so busy like we run around with our heads chopped off. We can’t do everything. Pray God will give you the peace to know what things He really wants you to do. I will pray you find that ” Peace Be Still “.
Blessings
Diana
“Just let happen what will happen.” That makes Doris Day’s Que Sera Sera come into my head. 🙂 Thanks for the prayers for peace.
I think you’re onto something here, Melissa. While still can mean “not moving or making a sound,” still can also mean “calm and tranquil.” I believe one’s spirit can be still in the midst of activity. We can’t be Marys all the time. There have to be Martha times as well if the work’s to get done, right?
You’re right–we can have calm spirits in the midst of activity. So true!
Oh, girl, you know I don’t have any answers. Haha. I think it’s all about focus and dependence, like you said. When we allow our circumstances to make us all flustered, then we’ve taken our focus off of the Lord. And it’s hard to have that peace when that happens.
All I know is, I’m glad to have you there to encourage me when I feel frazzled!
Haha, you probably more than anyone know when I’m at my most frazzled, Linds. 🙂 Focus and dependence, yes. And I’m glad to have you there when I’m flustered, too!
Melissa, I love your question: “Would I be a better person if I was…stiller?” Your post made me think how easy it can be to become physically still – acting as if I’m in the moment wherever I am – but my mind is on a NASCAR circuit. The challenge for me is stilling my mind to hear the whispers of God guiding me to the left or to the right. Thanks for this today, my Friend.
Oh my goodness, yes, Donna–sometimes we can TRY to be still, like physically be still…but our minds are just as crazy active as ever. And I’m thinking that’s probably not what God meant. Whereas, our minds can be at peace when we’re moving forward, accomplishing the thing God has put in front of us to accomplish.
Melissa, sooo loved your words today! (And because I’m a talker, being still is difficult at times.) God, indeed, has a way of grounding us–with or without our consent. And His way is always the best way, even though we may want to chew on it for awhile. 🙂
Praying for you!
Love what you said about God having a way of grounding us. So, so true. 🙂
I hear you one the be still thing. While I do think sometimes God wants us to cease activity and focus solely on Him, like you said, sometimes that isn’t possible in a particular moment. Lately Ifelt God’s whisper to “be still” to mean to still that inner frenzy that swirls toward panic. To quiet my inward parts even if outwardly I’m still working and remember that He is God. He has it all under control if I will just ask HIm what to do next and trust Him enough to do what He says!
Oh yeah, it’s that trusting part at the end of your comment that makes all the difference, doesn’t it. 🙂
Love this thought, Melissa! So true!
Thanks, Ashley!
I was actually almost tearing up. I didn’t realize how much this post would hit me right in the center in the gut and I could raise a hearty AMEN.
With me, it’s not so much “be still” as it is “be patient and wait.” Yeah, I get that. I know that. I believe that. Trust me. I just don’t want to hear it all.the.time. It’s like the “be still” phrase, they have become pat, but important, reminders that everyone defaults too.
As for the “be still” part of your post, I’m definitely not working two jobs, but feel that to juggle everything tears me in more directions than I energy or emotion to give. Wow, just…wow. God used your words tonight for me.
Oh, I’m glad the post resonated with you, Casey. Waiting is not really my favorite thing in the world ever. And you’re right…the whole “be patient” encouragement can sound just as pat as “be still” when you’re deep in the throes. But I love that God reaches past the trite to connect with us on a deeper level. 🙂
Fabulous post, Melissa. Thanks for always challenging your readers.
We’ve all been here – sometimes our mind jumps ahead and says, “…but we can’t be ‘still’! There’s too much to do!” Guess we all have a lot to learn yet. 🙂
PS: Loved meeting the heroes of your book in your last post! Thanks for putting that together. So fun.
Thanks, Rissi. And thanks for the nice words on Wednesday’s post. I had fun introducing the men of MTL. 🙂
“Be still” is such a personal thing. I think each of us has our own “be still” moments with God. Sometimes mine are when I sit out on the wooden chair on my porch with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa… and end up watching God’s beautiful creation at work instead of reading.
Thanks for the gentle reminder to “be still and know that He is God.”
Blessings,
Andrea
Thanks, Andrea! I love that “being still” can take so many forms…and there’s not one right or wrong way.
I guess I also look at “Be still and know that I am God” in the light of not trying to force something to work. This verse has always helped me calm down in order to discern the difference between the doors God opens and the ones I am trying to pry open with a crowbar.
That’s a really great insight, Marney…not trying to force things to work or open doors all on our own. Love it.
Be still, and know that I am God, to me it means do not fret are worry, let things rest in Gods hands, he says I am God, to me it means hes taking of ever thing
Love that, Shirley…especially the part about not worrying. 🙂
Melissa
I just saw this post so apologies for coming in late. This is one of my favourite subjects at the moment (my word for 2013 is “Silence” as an FYI). I kinda look at it like a relationship and one where whatever I’m doing, I’m recognising God is with me in it. So I have this ongoing dialogue with Him during the day. He’s always with us, it’s we who move away for whatever reason, might be busyness, might be whatever.
But I find I need quiet or silence to hear God. In busy times, too many meetings and such, I can struggle to get some quiet. So during those times I’ll take a break and get away even if for moments (perhaps in a bathroom or wherever) so I can hear Him.
Melissa, don’t beat yourself up because you’re busy. Follow your heart that desires to cling to Him. It’s wonderful that you are able to be dependent on Him when you’re most frazzled. And as you say, stillness can be grasped in the craziness of a busy life.
One of aspects of Jesus life I love is how much time He spent “hidden”. He had to, so He could rest in the presence of the Father and be replenished to do what He had to do.
You continue to inspire me, Melissa. Your wisdom, humour and grace are so infectious.
Bless,