Tuesday, February 9, 2010

She Said Be Still

I shared with you that I saw Cynthia Heald last Friday. It was dreamy. She said my name. I even sat next to her at lunch. You could feel her before you could see her, meek and wise. I am pretty sure that I am holier just from being in the same room with her.


I am sure that we all long to be holier after her talk. She talked about simplicity…gasp, sputter, moan. Yes, simplicity.

She talked about being still. Some days, is this the hardest thing that you have to do? I know it can be for me. “To do” items actually bounce off of my list and do the cha-cha in my brain, while I sit railing against the limitations of my attitude.

I have to turn off the treadmill of events and face my Savior.

Be still.

Exodus 14:13 & 14, NRSV,

But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.

The Egyptian army was coming to retake the Israelites by force. Moses’ advice was to stand firm and see what the Lord is going to do today. God will fight for you if you just keep still. It makes my mental havoc seem more trivial.

God will fight for me, for my attention, for my heart, for my worship, if I am still.

God will fight for the events of my day, for my false expectations, for that which I have no control over, if I am still.

I want to be the woman who starts to take on the qualities of the One with whom she spends time. When I walk, I want to have His stride. When I listen, I want His attention. When I talk, I want His demeanor.

Be still.

Then I can ask…what is the Lord going to do today?

Stillness, what do you think?

10 comments:

  1. Tracy, being still is one of the hardest things to do...no thoughts, activities...we feel like we have to be doing something. This was a great post. Reminded me of one I wrote last week when I was trying to week trying to get a picture of some birds.

    http://holycamp09.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/blessings-for-the-moment/

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  2. Great thought. I totally agree, and happened to be reading that section last week. I paused when I read that, thinking of how scared they must have been. Faith is what it's all about. :)

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  3. It is so hard for me to be still. However, being still requires focusing and when I focus on HIM and His love, everything always seems so much smaller in perspective. Because He is more powerful than all.
    Loved this reflection.
    Blessings,
    Amy

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  4. Being still...so difficult but so essential for a close walk with our Lord. It is something I have to work on continually.

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  5. Stillness. It really spoke to me today, as I struggle to wait for an answer from the Lord via the phone or an email. It's been days, and though there is a time limit on the end of this I don't get to know what that date is. The thought that God is fighting for me, whether it's to bring my prayer to fruition, or if it's a "no" and He's focusing on something more important to Him, is a humbling and comforting thought. I pray for stillness, right now. Thank you for your words today!

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  6. I am learning so much about stillness and silence. I had such a hard time with those two...but lately it has been getting easier and easier.

    There is such beauty in the stillness and silence. I am slowly learning that :)

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  7. What an inspiring post, Tracy. I needed to read this today - I have about 10 hours worth of stuff to do and about two hours to do it. It's the life of a mom, I know, but still. It's hard to BE still. I'm working on this.

    I love your blog. I gave you an award today so if you get the chance, stop by and check it out!

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  8. Great message! Being still...

    I think it's my first visit to your blog. Very warm and inviting. Looking forward to stopping in again Tracy.

    Hugs and blessings.
    Lisa

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  9. Oh I think (no, I know) that I need more of this!!! Jesus is so patient with all my wanderings. But there is so much to be gained when I am still.

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  10. Tracy: I agree that being still is SO difficult! My thoughts seem to race ahead a mile a minute when I try to be still. But being still and keeping my mind on God and the things He wants me to focus on is worth it! Great blog. Blessings to you!

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Your comments mean so much to me. Thank you for taking the time to share what is on your mind.
-TJK

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