“I don’t know how you do all you do!”
Compliments like these cause me to evaluate if I unwittingly parade “all I do” around specifically so I can get accolades from others. I hope not!
The truth is, I don’t do *any* of the many things I do well. (Even now, a part of me wants to list them all for you, so you can know what I mean. The other part of me–the suspicious part of me–thinks this would merely be a perverse attempt to win yet more accolades and encouragement…so I will restrain myself!)
What if my busyness (something that is celebrated and respected in our culture) is just another way to keep from being in the present moment?
What if God wants me to be still and know that he is God?
Be still and know that I am not?
What if he wants me to be still to tell me the truth about a few things?
Gosh, even the thought makes me squeamish. For some reason, I don’t want to hear that he wants me to…well…to change. To sacrifice. To be.
Instead, I have become comfortable in…
…in what? In whatever place this is?
God will speak to this people, to whom he said,
“This is the resting place, let the weary rest”;
and, “This is the place of repose”—
but they would not listen.
So then, the word of the LORD to them will become:
Do and do, do and do,
rule on rule, rule on rule;
a little here, a little there—
so that they will go and fall backward,
be injured and snared and captured.
~ Isaiah 28: 11b-13
” Those that will not hear the comfortable voice of God’s word shall be made to hear the dreadful voice of his rod.” *
I am caught in a conundrum. I run from the very rest to which he calls, and in my running, I churn inside, yet I continue to run from the rest to which he calls…it is a cycle. My busyness is just a ruse to avoid the
He wants to quiet me with his love. Zephaniah 3:17 breathes encouragement to me. This agitated state I am in sends off red flares. I am about ready to jump out of my skin.
Even in my “quiet” times, I am far from quiet. I run around from one bible verse to another, marking this passage and that, studying, acquiring knowledge. “Do and do. Do and do. Rule on rule. Rule on rule. Here a little, there a little.”
And, yet, I “massage” my conscience: “Wow! Look at all I have learned in Leviticus. Who would have thought that Leviticus would so richly enhance my understanding of the gospel!”
It sounds really good, ya know? Doesn’t that make me sound super-spiritual to you? :-/
Hold everything.
Stop.
What am I running from? I have some ideas. I keep pointing to all the things that I do that prove I am a “good” girl…and, again, God says:
“I don’t want you to be ‘good,” I want you to be mine.”
This is about so much more than weight and food. God just uses food and weight to grab my attention. He uses my struggle as my thorn in my flesh to keep me clinging to him.
Perhaps if I would cease using busyness as a “drug of choice” and got still with Him…really still, there might be some healing. Some deep cleansing to the depths of my being.
How about you? Is busyness a way of avoiding a true encounter with the Living God? What are you running from? What can you do to stop and rest in his arms?
Oh, Lord, I confess my tendency to get caught up in “here a little, there a little, do and do, rule and rule…” It is so exhausting. I confess that I am running from you. Lord, I don’t even know why, really. You have said “Let the weary rest.” Oh! How I long for that rest, Lord. I pray that you will help me respond to your voice, to forsake the worldly rewards of busyness–and the accompanying agitation–and really rest in your presence. Lord, I want to hear what you have to say to me…Word of God speak…I choose to listen. Make it so, Lord. In the precious Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Zephaniah 3:17 is one of my favorite Bible verses, if it's possible to have such a thing. I love the image of God quieting me with His love and rejoicing over me with singing!We are such babies in the faith. Remember how hard it was to coax our own babies to "be still" when they were all tired out and fussy?! Thank God He is infinitely more patient with my squirmings than I am/was as a human parent!
Zephaniah 3:17 is one of my favorite Bible verses, if it's possible to have such a thing. I love the image of God quieting me with His love and rejoicing over me with singing!We are such babies in the faith. Remember how hard it was to coax our own babies to "be still" when they were all tired out and fussy?! Thank God He is infinitely more patient with my squirmings than I am/was as a human parent!
Such wise words. This really applies to me, and I try so hard to not recognize it. I am so very busy, but in the rare moments when I have a moment to rest, I flounder. I find something else to keep me busy. I refuse to let myself rest, either my body or my mind. Even lying down at night to finally sleep, I let my mind race ahead to the next day, week, month. The next worry. And by doing so, I never truly let Him in.Thank you for visiting my blog; I am so glad I read this today.
Such wise words. This really applies to me, and I try so hard to not recognize it. I am so very busy, but in the rare moments when I have a moment to rest, I flounder. I find something else to keep me busy. I refuse to let myself rest, either my body or my mind. Even lying down at night to finally sleep, I let my mind race ahead to the next day, week, month. The next worry. And by doing so, I never truly let Him in.Thank you for visiting my blog; I am so glad I read this today.
You posed some excellent questions following your self-analysis.People seem to busy themselves for many reasons; motivations vary from person to person (one person may be competitive and another insecure). You hit on a fascinating (and sad) possible motive: "avoiding a true encounter with the Living God."I hope people take time to ask these questions and strike up a conversations with their loved ones.I think it's helpful for all of us to examine (and re-examine) the *why* we choose to be busy and make sure it's in line with (and allowing for) faith in the Lord.Great post. Can't wait to share it at NotSoFastBook.com!
You posed some excellent questions following your self-analysis.People seem to busy themselves for many reasons; motivations vary from person to person (one person may be competitive and another insecure). You hit on a fascinating (and sad) possible motive: "avoiding a true encounter with the Living God."I hope people take time to ask these questions and strike up a conversations with their loved ones.I think it's helpful for all of us to examine (and re-examine) the *why* we choose to be busy and make sure it's in line with (and allowing for) faith in the Lord.Great post. Can't wait to share it at NotSoFastBook.com!
This one made me tear up. Definately an issue in my life. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that just perhaps it is a fear of an encounter with an Almighty, living God. As much as I want to, there is a part of me that fears what He may want me to change and the pain that could be associated with that change. Anyway…thanks once again for being so transparent. You asked if I am a Pastor's wife…I am 🙂
This one made me tear up. Definately an issue in my life. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that just perhaps it is a fear of an encounter with an Almighty, living God. As much as I want to, there is a part of me that fears what He may want me to change and the pain that could be associated with that change. Anyway…thanks once again for being so transparent. You asked if I am a Pastor's wife…I am 🙂
Thanks for this post – this came at time. Instead of being still on Sunday as I planned and should have – focusing on Him – I kept myself busy. And the hoping-through-scripture is just what I tend to do – and I always feel like u missed something. Well maybe by mediating on just one vers or even only one word I would feel enriched. I will take this to heart – thank you.
Thanks for this post – this came at time. Instead of being still on Sunday as I planned and should have – focusing on Him – I kept myself busy. And the hoping-through-scripture is just what I tend to do – and I always feel like u missed something. Well maybe by mediating on just one vers or even only one word I would feel enriched. I will take this to heart – thank you.
I thought I was a fairly calm and quiet person — until I read this blog! After examining myself — oops! I don't have difficulty being still in my chair with my bible and a good study book — but getting my mind to be quiet is another issue. It's a much bigger challenge. And it's one I'm up to tackling during the upcoming TW book study. I want to keep my thoughts focused on what the Lord is teaching me and let the Holy Spirit dig deep into my spirit. I also have this thought — I tend to keep God in the "third person," when I have my quiet time, during my journalling, and even sometimes in my conversation/prayer time. I really want to begin to have full realization of His presence with me at all times. I don't want to think "He is with me." I want to fully experience "You, God, are with me." Does that make sense?
I thought I was a fairly calm and quiet person — until I read this blog! After examining myself — oops! I don't have difficulty being still in my chair with my bible and a good study book — but getting my mind to be quiet is another issue. It's a much bigger challenge. And it's one I'm up to tackling during the upcoming TW book study. I want to keep my thoughts focused on what the Lord is teaching me and let the Holy Spirit dig deep into my spirit. I also have this thought — I tend to keep God in the "third person," when I have my quiet time, during my journalling, and even sometimes in my conversation/prayer time. I really want to begin to have full realization of His presence with me at all times. I don't want to think "He is with me." I want to fully experience "You, God, are with me." Does that make sense?
Amazing, you really hit the nail on the head. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and using your God given talents to bring truth (and some much needed conviction(that would be me)) to others.
Amazing, you really hit the nail on the head. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and using your God given talents to bring truth (and some much needed conviction(that would be me)) to others.
Hi, Mama23 – Me, too. I love the image of God singing me to a peaceful slumber, smile on his face. Yes…babies in the faith, indeed. Hi, Sheri. Welcome to the blog! I can soooo identify with what you have shared here. Thanks for saying it. And thank you for your encouraging words–and for having a place to share the link to my blog! How cool is that!Hi, Ann. I am so glad you found my blog from the highcallingblogs link. Avoiding what could be the most amazing experience, if I would allow it, has often kept me from being still, I fear. 🙁 Thanks for sharing my post with others at notsofastbook.com, too!Hi, Peggy. I have had a very dear friend who was a pastor's wife (you know who you are, dear one…I love you so!). I can't imagine living with the pressures that are placed on women who minister first and foremost to the shepherds of our churches. Anyhow, you and I can definitely relate to one another in our avoidance of the stillness. God is doing a new thing, though! I KNOW IT!Hi, Nimmi! I think you are right. Even just meditating on one verse can make a huge difference!Hi, Believerkjk – YES! This is precisely the case. My body appears to be still, but my mind is helter skelter. Go figure. OH YES, what you said makes TOTAL sense. It is the difference between conversing WITH him and being IN his presence and sort of thinking *about* him. One is so rich compared to the other… Great point! Thanks!Hi, Katie. Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad you have stopped by!
Hi, Mama23 – Me, too. I love the image of God singing me to a peaceful slumber, smile on his face. Yes…babies in the faith, indeed. Hi, Sheri. Welcome to the blog! I can soooo identify with what you have shared here. Thanks for saying it. And thank you for your encouraging words–and for having a place to share the link to my blog! How cool is that!Hi, Ann. I am so glad you found my blog from the highcallingblogs link. Avoiding what could be the most amazing experience, if I would allow it, has often kept me from being still, I fear. 🙁 Thanks for sharing my post with others at notsofastbook.com, too!Hi, Peggy. I have had a very dear friend who was a pastor's wife (you know who you are, dear one…I love you so!). I can't imagine living with the pressures that are placed on women who minister first and foremost to the shepherds of our churches. Anyhow, you and I can definitely relate to one another in our avoidance of the stillness. God is doing a new thing, though! I KNOW IT!Hi, Nimmi! I think you are right. Even just meditating on one verse can make a huge difference!Hi, Believerkjk – YES! This is precisely the case. My body appears to be still, but my mind is helter skelter. Go figure. OH YES, what you said makes TOTAL sense. It is the difference between conversing WITH him and being IN his presence and sort of thinking *about* him. One is so rich compared to the other… Great point! Thanks!Hi, Katie. Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad you have stopped by!
what a wonderful post! Thank you for those words.
what a wonderful post! Thank you for those words.
Hi, Darla! I don't think I have seen you here before, have I? Welcome! Thanks so much for commenting and I have entered your name in the drawing. I hope you will continue to visit and join in on the study!
Hi, Darla! I don't think I have seen you here before, have I? Welcome! Thanks so much for commenting and I have entered your name in the drawing. I hope you will continue to visit and join in on the study!
Oh thank you so much for this post, I stumbled across your blog and this post rung so very true with me…always i am running, running…yet my soul, my heart craves to be with the Lord..yet I busy myself with something even when I have the chance to be quiet and still, for some reason keep running…what is wrong with me…I don't usually run to food, it is usually technology – facebook, email, phone. Perhaps I don't want to hear what God has to say, worried that He is disappointed in me, with me.
Oh thank you so much for this post, I stumbled across your blog and this post rung so very true with me…always i am running, running…yet my soul, my heart craves to be with the Lord..yet I busy myself with something even when I have the chance to be quiet and still, for some reason keep running…what is wrong with me…I don't usually run to food, it is usually technology – facebook, email, phone. Perhaps I don't want to hear what God has to say, worried that He is disappointed in me, with me.
Hi, Nina. It is so ironic to me that I have been here again recently…so soon, too, after posting this. Now it is the end of August and I have streamlined things considerably. I am not writing the book that I hoped to be…not yet anyhow. I have resigned my "official" position at Thin Within, though I will continue to participate, of course! The writing projects I was "officially" involved with have to be set aside…well, other people will be invited by our faithful Lord to participate. And now, God has called me to be faithful…here at home. My heart is called HOME. My feet and my rear (and all attached parts…LOL!) have been home, but my heart has been with others…because I feel some measure of "accomplishment" and "success" when I reach out to people outside of my family. Go figure…with my own family I feel like a failure…So God is calling me to deal with this. To take care of it instead of to run from it. Wow…it is hard! Will I ever learn? 🙂
Hi, Nina. It is so ironic to me that I have been here again recently…so soon, too, after posting this. Now it is the end of August and I have streamlined things considerably. I am not writing the book that I hoped to be…not yet anyhow. I have resigned my "official" position at Thin Within, though I will continue to participate, of course! The writing projects I was "officially" involved with have to be set aside…well, other people will be invited by our faithful Lord to participate. And now, God has called me to be faithful…here at home. My heart is called HOME. My feet and my rear (and all attached parts…LOL!) have been home, but my heart has been with others…because I feel some measure of "accomplishment" and "success" when I reach out to people outside of my family. Go figure…with my own family I feel like a failure…So God is calling me to deal with this. To take care of it instead of to run from it. Wow…it is hard! Will I ever learn? 🙂