Be Still And Know

And so it begins. This season of busyness.

There are many days when I feel overwhelmed. As a wife, mom, full-time worker, minister and friend, there are many things competing for my time and attention. And especially during the holidays, my life tends to get more hectic and overwhelming. In a season when I am called to give thanks, to reflect on the beauty of the Lord and be reminded of the most precious gift that has been given to me, I am distracted. As if I weren’t busy enough. Now there is decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, parties and the list goes on.

Just this weekend as I was making my list, and planning my attack for Black Friday shopping, I heard the Lord say “Be still”. He did not shout, rather it was a still, small, peaceful voice. It was a voice of a tender and loving Father calling me back to Himself, to a place where I can once again gain His perspective in all of this busyness.

Be still, and know that I am God!.. (Psalm 46:10a – NLT)

If you are like me, sitting still in the presence of the Lord is not always easy. My mind continues to run. I long to be in His presence, yet I feel this need to get up and go and “do”. I will admit, I am a Martha with the heart of Mary. I am a worker bee and I love to stay busy, to accomplish the task, to make sure everything and everyone is taken care of. Yet my heart longs for God. I yearn for the more of Him that is only found in His presence. And Mary chose the better part.

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

When I do not allow myself to sit at His feet and see His perspective, I continue to try to achieve everything in my own strength. And this is where I fail. He isn’t necessarily calling me to lay down these things. He only asks that I invite Him into the process and give Him permission to rearrange my day. Martha was so busy preparing to meet Jesus that once He arrived, she missed the point. Mary was determined to sit and gaze and to hear His voice. I don’t want to miss it. I don’t want to stay so busy that I miss the voice of my Jesus calling me to come. I must learn to sit and to be still, to reflect, to gaze on His beauty and to see His perspective.

Beloved, in this season of Christmas, purpose in your heart to take time every day to sit and be still in the presence of the Lord. And don’t feel like you have to “do” anything. So many of us do not feel we are doing it right, this sitting and gazing, unless we have a Bible, a journal, etc. You don’t have to do anything in His presence. You simply have to be. He just wants you. Allow Him to pour His oil of love over you and renew your strength. Where you are weak, He is strong and He will give you the strength to do all that you need to do, if you will simply sit and be still.

9 Responses to Be Still And Know
  1. sue
    December 1, 2010 | 8:40 am

    So relate to your comment, “a Martha with a heart of Mary”. Better tho, to be in His presence. Love being still. Love hearing His quiet voice. God bless you abundantly! 🙂

  2. Lisa Grace
    December 1, 2010 | 9:15 am

    Thanks so much for sharing! I am going to endeavor today to have some still time.

  3. Lee H
    December 1, 2010 | 9:45 am

    Thank you for the reminder to “Be Still”. I am SO Martha. I feel like the Luke 10:38-42 gives me permission to be who God wants me to be.
    Blessing to you!
    Lee

  4. Kimberly
    December 1, 2010 | 1:22 pm

    Such a needed reminder as we head into the hustle and bustle of this time of year! And I love that you reminded us it is okay to just “be”…that we don’t have to “do” when we sit in His presence. I am definitely a doer!!!!

    May this season be marked with a special sense of peace in your heart and in your home. Looking forward to my own times of letting Him pour His oil of love all over me!
    Blessings,
    K

  5. Desiree
    December 1, 2010 | 1:54 pm

    Oh Barbie, how I needed that devotional today. I had my 11 year old son read it to me on the way to taking him to school today because I read the title and knew it was for me. Thank you!

  6. Lea Culp
    December 1, 2010 | 8:08 pm

    Oh, Barbie, thanks so much for this reminder. Being still is so hard for me, it’s just not my nature, but just as you said, it’s necessary to just sit and bask in His presence. I am purposing in my heart to do just that, Be Still and Know.

    Always enjoy your posts! Hugs!

  7. Val Garner
    December 2, 2010 | 8:58 pm

    Always such a sweet reminder, for life, not just in the holidays.

    I tend to be a Mary….which sometimes I struggle with the problems that can bring if you know what I mean.

    May you each find a very special time with Him in the midst of it all this year.

  8. Rachel
    December 2, 2010 | 9:09 pm

    Beautiful, Barbie! Last year I spoke at a women’s event on that exact verse. So often we overlook the word – know – and there is so much power in knowing. There’s no worry or fear or doubt in knowing. It’s a fact. And once you know — then you can be still.

    Blessings my friend!

  9. Be Still And Know
    April 28, 2011 | 11:07 pm

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