Still and Known

I came across this image on tbe Bible app, and felt led to share it:

It seems to me like there is an sequence that is evident here. If we are still – our minds, our bodies, and our spirit – only then can we really know and experience God for who He is.

I’ve shared with you all recently that I’ve been under the weather, and by God’s grace and several of your prayers, I’m definitely on the road to recovery – thank you! However, if there is anything that I’ve learned in my forced convalescence, it’s that God will find ways to make you be still, if you don’t do so voluntarily.

I wish I could share that I had a bunch of epiphanies about my life, but honestly I didn’t. I just realized that I was sick and there was nothing that could do to change the situation. Of course, I prayed for healing, but as I was spending day in and day out at home (doing a whole lot of nothing), there really wasn’t much that I could do tangibly to impact my circumstances.

So I can say from personal experience that when you are still, there is a heightened awareness of the presence and power of God (mostly because when you’re sick, tired of reading books, watching Netflix, and listening to podcasts), there isn’t much else you can do but check in with the Lord. 

I kind of thought I was doing alright, but perhaps I haven’t been as still as I thought I was (I’m guilty of frequently reaching for my iPhone, and/or finding other distractions to occupy my mind and pass the time). Real, authentic, and tangible stillness actually requires a lot of effort and planning.

I’m not going to pretend that that is the experience that I had for the past few days. But it got me thinking – when was the last time that I was truly still, without so many things to distract me? I honestly can’t really think of the last time. And that’s a problem.

Homestly, I doubt that I’m ever really and truly still. There definitely are times when I slow down and reflect, but being still – a conscious, scheduled, and set-aside time – is something that I do not do regularly.

So this is my challenge for myself, and I invite you to participate in it as well. Can I carve out one hour per week when I am totally and completely still? I believe I can, but I suspect that it will be more challenging than I realize.

So, at some point in the next seven days, I will give this a go. For the purposes of accountability, I will report back to you all here whether or not I did it, and how things went. I’m hoping that I will be able to build this into my life on a much more consistent basis, but I have to start somewhere, so one hour per week so I will begin.

Dear Lord, thank You for this reminder from the Bible that You – and only You – are God. Forgive me for the idols (and they aren’t necessarily even bad things) that I permit in my life – things that distract me and direct my attention away from You.

I would like to find a spot where I can truly be still without the distractions that so frequently interrupt my thinking. Would You please bring such a location to mind? I really feel like my apartment is not the place. 

Thanks in advance for Your answer to this prayer! Thanks also for the kind people here on WordPress who prayed for me during my sickness (even though I am feeling better, I’m not totally out of the woods yet, but I’m believing You for my healing). In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

24 thoughts on “Still and Known”

  3. I was praying for your quiet spot when I got to your prayer, so where two of us ask it is done :):) It is amazing how much noise there is to drown out what is important to us :):) I am excited to hear your report on how it all went for you. Thanking God for your feeling better, and your quiet spot :):)

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    1. Margaret, I so appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness! God clearly heard your prayer, because He showed me the spot the very next day! 🙂 And yes, I am getting better steadily – I simply need to be careful to not do too much too soon.

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  4. I’m glad you are feeling better! I’ll be praying! ♥

    I love your idea about a being still. The only times I can usually accomplish that is if I can’t sleep; voluntary quiet time would be great. I’ll do the challenge with you! But a whole hour, wow! I may aim for half of that to start with. 😅

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      5. 😊 I’m so glad you are enjoying it! 😀

        I think my favorites so far is Podcast 70, Podcast 69, and Podcast 8. 🙂 (I haven’t listened to them all yet so I imagine I’ll have a few more favorites as I go!)

        Liked by 1 person

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