“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7
I’m good at sitting.
I’m not prone to rambling.
I’ve been told I have an affinity for listening.
This verse should be my sweet spot.
Key phrase: “should be.”
I could tell you my struggle is because traveling/living with 42 people doesn’t offer the time or space to quietly reflect on the Lord, but that excuse is worn out. The ugly truth of it is:
If I don’t stop and listen then He can’t invade the hard places.
If I don’t let Him speak then I don’t have to obey.
If I focus on giving His words to others then I’m taken out of the equation.
For me, it boils down to using God to run from God. Yes, I’m out here leading a missions trip. I’m praying and teaching and encouraging the people around me. I’m digging trenches to provide clean water for villagers in Swaziland. I have delivered rice and soup to malnourished children in Cambodia. I have hiked mountains to pray over valleys of unbelievers. I have had my hands in a variety of “missionary activities” throughout these 5 months, but what I’m coming to realize is that our activity for God can only properly flow from a life with God.
Am I doing God’s work to satisfy me or Him?
Am I doing things in His name He never asked me to do?
Are my prayers about God doing my will and not my surrendering to His?
Have I allowed God to work in me and not just through me?
It’s time to practice a little…
Dare I say…
Silence and solitude.
In the silence His voice is the loudest.
In the silence the dark can come to light.
In the solitude, distractions are removed.
In the solitude, it’s just you and Him.
It’s time to sit with God.
To stop moving.
To stop asking.
To face the pain.
Welcome the change.
And live life with the One who simply wants to be with me.
