Be Still. Be Silent. Then Act and Speak Up!

Last Thursday I read a post by Amanda over at A Brownie World which really got the ol' brain waves moving.  She talked about just praying about something vs taking action in her post "Pray to be Stirred and Shaken".  I couldn't stop thinking about what she said.

Scripture tells us that sometimes we need to "be still".  And that sometimes "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent". However I believe that the "be still" and "be silent" come just before the action.

That hurt... that frustration... that sickening feeling inside that Amanda talked about which we all feel when it comes to certain things?  I believe that is the beginning of God trying to use us. 

And that is the moment we need to be still, be silent, and listen.  Then - MOVE.  Step out in obedience and do something.Anything.  Something you think of as "small" might be the beginning of something BIG that God is going to do.

And the prayer?  That should be an ongoing part of the process.

 

Prayer is the part that helps us see when we should move.  Prayer is the part that keeps us going when we feel like giving up.  Prayer is the part when we offer praise for what God is doing through our actions.

So when something stirs your soul - Be still.  Be silent.  And then Act!  And never stop praying about it. 

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Be Still!

Most of us give our children certain tasks or chores that we expect them to do.  But our most cherished moments with them aren't when they are doing chores.  The best times are the quiet times spent together. Talking about what is going on in their lives.  When they come to us for advice.  When we share stories.  Or when we are simply together in the quiet, enjoying each other's presence. This is when we get to know each other and truly cherish each other.

God feels the same way about His children.

God doesn't want us simply scurrying around like ants doing things for Him.  He doesn't want us always doing more and more things in an attempt to please Him.  He wants to know us. He wants the quiet times with us.  He wants us to talk to Him about what is going on in our life.  He wants us to go to Him for advice and help.  He cherishes the moments when we are simply spending time in His presence.

It is possible to be very very busy serving the Lord; and yet be no closer to Him than we were when we were still lost.  Don't be so eager to serve Jesus that you miss out on really knowing him!

New Every Morning

As the mornings have gotten cooler, I have missed sitting on my back porch in the mornings for my quiet time. 

Sitting out there in those early morning hours, it's easy to see the hand print of God. 

"They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:23

You can see his work in the trees, the sunlight, the birds coming to the feeder.

You can hear it in the breeze, the bird songs, the soft clucking of the chickens.

Sometimes I can even feel His Spirit here with me.

God makes Himself known to us in subtle ways. 

He is always all around us - with us.  We just have to stop, look, and listen to feel Him there.

"Be still, and know that I am God" ~ Psalm 46:10