As always, God leads us through different seasons of life. Just as the planet Earth rotates on an axis, which produces a variety of seasons, children of God rotate on His axis and experience a variety of life-seasons. Some of these periods are dry and lonely while others are overflowing with joy and community. But they all come from God, and they are all good. I’m currently in the season of being still. Literally. I’ve spent the summer at home, which has brought a unique change of pace that resembles a slow moving river. If you know me, you know I love the busyness that comes with having things to do. One might even say that I idolize it. But, alas, this summer has been the complete opposite of the pace I am used to. And I’ve found myself wrestling with God about it.
This season has not only brought physical stillness but spiritual stillness as well. Over and over again in my time with the Lord I am told to “be still”. You see, I just want to talk and sometimes God just wants me to listen. Can I get an amen? So I listen and I listen and I listen and sometimes I don’t always hear what I want to. For example, I asked God the other day if I was doing anything to quench His spirit. He showed me an image of a volume dial being turned all the way up. He then replied with, “Turn off the volume and pay attention.” Woof.
The incredible Mary Oliver says this, “You buy awe when you pay attention.” Wonder and mystery are to be found in the here and now rather than the there and then. Joy is found where your feet are. God is alive and well in this moment as you read this, just let that sink in for a moment. Abba’s delight for us to hear is voice is shown most evidently, in my opinion, in John 10.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold, I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:14-16
This passage always amazes me because we get a beautiful glimpse into the Fathers faithfulness. He knows our tendency to plug our ears in a childish attempt to tune Him out, yet He calls us still. We all like children get so distracted by the trash and butterflies of life, when our Father just wants our attention. He knows our tendencies to wander, yet the good shepherd lays his life down for us all the same. Our infidelity does not turn Him away.
This season of life has made me wrestle with how I used to view God. I used to spend all my time just talking at God rather than with Him. It was a one-way monologue with me at the center. I low key used to think God only spoke to people in the old/new testament, but now I know that’s a bunch of crap. The same God who spoke to David, Moses, Abraham, and the disciples is speaking to us now. So here’s my advice for future world races and really anyone who is seeking to grow in faith: Be still, and know that He is God. Let Him tell you his heart for the nations, this country, the homeless, and you. Come boldly to the throne of grace and just listen. That in itself is a gift.
p.s. There’s only 18 more days till launch. Let’s do this thing!!!
