BE STILL

Sometimes ‘being alone’ can have negative implications; we think it means being lonely, and we can be fearful of being left on our own. Perhaps this is what drives us to fill our world with a constant stream of noise, from people, the TV, radio, music or social media chatter.

There are all kinds of pressure to be social and ‘get out there’ and experience life. We’re often discouraged from spending time alone but it is often when we are by ourselves that we realise God is actually right there with us.

Let’s explore this a little further.

BIBLE READING(S)

Can you see some common themes between these various Bible Readings?

When the crowd dispersed, Jesus climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. Matthew 14:22-23

Martha had a a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. Luke 10:39

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. Exodus 14:14

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31

Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. Samuel 12:16

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:8

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him! Psalm 37:7

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

Can you see some of these themes in the above Bible Readings:

Be still, wait, rest, be quiet, pray, be patient, listen, be silent, ask, seek, solitude.

You may even find more?

The Bible is packed full of verses about being still before God.

We are told many times that Jesus often slipped away to be by himself to be alone and to pray He knew how very important it was to take time out from his busy day to speak to the Father.

And don’t you think this is something we need to do too?

We live in a busy, crazy world where time alone is not always easy to find. But it’s really important to get away from all the things that distract us in our lives, to be still, and to tell our Heavenly Father what is on our minds.

It's often only when we're alone before God, when we stop moving and stop striving that we can see our situation more clearly, often through God's perspective.

And as we sit before him, no matter how crazy we think our world gets - and it’s definitely getting crazier by the minute - remember that God is still in his heaven, he still reigns and whatever your situation right now he still has you in the palm of his hand.

FINAL THOUGHT

What are our lives full of?

What is all the ‘stuff’ that is in your life, or on your mind right now?

Maybe you could draw a picture of what this may look like - you in the middle, surrounded by all your distractions.

This week, try and find a ‘quiet place’ and use this space to get away from the noise and distractions of everyday life, into a time of quiet and peace with God.

Spend five minutes on your own in complete silence... no radio, phone, music, TV, iPad, computer! Don’t feel you have to fill the silence with prayers... just allow your thoughts to focus on God.

Be still. Listen. And allow the still small voice of God to speak to you.

You'll be glad you did!

Jesus loves to spend time with you. Listen prayerfully to the words of this beautiful song: