Be Still

I think smart phones are one of the greatest inventions of my lifetime. Obviously, God’s plans are not all about me, but when Thomas was diagnosed with diabetes and I was able to be reached on my cell phone at anytime when we were separated, it brought a truckload of peace to my heart. It allowed me to communicate instantly if necessary or be reached…..what comfort it brought when he was younger and especially when he turned 15 and started driving. We could communicate even when he was traveling. Now that he is away at college, we can text….I just glory in that bit of technology. I continually thank God daily for technology such as the “insulin pump”, his digital glucometer, the internet, GPS….etc. They for sure have saved me time and concern and have been a phenomenal resource and tool in ministry.

There are a few downsides to some technology. The one thing I have learned to do is put my cell phone down and “be all there”. It owned me for a while. I have learned that just because it vibrates or rings doesn’t mean I need to answer it immediately, especially if I am involved in another task or with someone else. For a while I let it take over my life, and run it…….meaning it dictated my schedule…I would stop and read a text, or answer…..and I found myself IN and OUT of multiple things at one time…instead of “being All IN or ALL THERE” when I was working, visiting with someone, during dinner or family time, and yes, even during worship and quiet time. In the wonderful age of technology and fast paced life where we can get across the USA in a few hours…we can drive thru and have a meal in a bag in minutes, we can FED EX something overnight , talk to 3 people on the phone at the same time through conference calling…with all the technology “helps” we are wired now for overkill in multi-tasking and losing a very important principle found in scripture…..Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” And Psalm 23 states, “He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.”

I don’t think I can adequately put into words what it has meant for me to learn to “BE STILL” so that God could restore my soul. Seriously, being still and, I might add, being QUIET…. has been like “winning the lottery” to me. It has brought such a richness to my personal growth in Christ and Christian walk…I have waited, thought about it and prayed asking the Lord to show me how to effectively communicate this principle to the Back 9 readers. How can I encourage readers to know that a life of significance incorporates this principle? Praying that….you may examine yourself and your life…..and seek to add “being still” before the LORD so that you can experience the fullness of Christ. It takes great effort and intention on our part, or at least it did for me…..to stop allowing….the cell phone, emails, and voicemails dictate my schedule and instead learning to “be still” first….anyone feeling me??? I have had to put boundaries on “those kinds of things in my life”….to allow the “quiet“…the “still waters” that do refresh and restore my/your soul!

Just think about it this way. Recently, I went to dinner with our two sons, a rare occasion for just the 3 of us, I was delighted…anticipated it all day…when we first met at one of my favorite restaurants, “The Light House” in Seneca, they were both intently….on their cell phones. I guess they were reading texts or something…I waited patiently for them to give me their attention….it took a while but they finally put away their phones without me asking and we had a great time.

As I sat and waited for them to be “All There”, I wondered about the countless times I had done the same thing to God. Times when He wanted quiet time with me and I was just toooo busy or only gave Him half of my attention or divided my focus. I also know what it felt like when Thomas and Brewer put their phones away and gave me their undivided attention. I was elated!! It restored my “mothering soul!”…..

God seeks to “restore our souls” daily! I have found that you don’t know what you don’t know…….understand….take me at my word….if you don’t know what it is like, or it sounds foreign to you to have “your soul restored”….try it……Would love your feedback!! I already know what it’s like! Indescribable!

Psalm 42:1-2, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *