Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
I am not very good at being still. If I follow my own desires, I am more of a Martha than a Mary. But, I am learning that God did not create me to follow my own desires, He created me for His purposes. The best way to get to know His purposes is to know Him and spend time with Him. It is so sweet to think that even more than we long to spend time with God, He longs to spend time with us.
For several years, I have been using most of my weekday lunchtime as part of my "Sabbath rest". For me, one of the ways that God reveals Himself is through the order and beauty of His creation. I have the luxury of working in an environment where there are well kept gardens full of flowers, trees, wildlife, and even an occasional eagle. As I eat my lunch and sit quietly at the feet of Jesus, I am replenished both physically and spiritually.
There are several different ways that I spend this time: sometimes I pour out my questions, frustrations, and thanksgivings to God through journaling or prayer. Other times I read a devotional book. But, my most meaningful experiences have been through just sitting and meditating on one or two verses of scripture.
One verse in particular has been my constant companion:
Psalm 1:3 "He is like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither." This is especially evident in my surroundings because there are many huge oak trees that are over 75 years old. I have watched these trees survive through changing seasons, storms, and droughts. These huge oak trees stand tall and strong.
They don't blow over easily like the tall spindly pine trees that can topple over when the wind blows. The psalmist says that the trees will survive because they are planted by streams of water. In John 4:10, Jesus calls Himself the Living Water. I am grateful that I had these times of Sabbath rest during the past few years because I have had many good times, but also have had spiritual droughts, storms, and now the changing of seasons. God has planted this verse deep in my soul so that I know as long as I am planted by the Living Water (Jesus); I won't topple over when the winds of adversity and change blow through my life.
This series on the Sabbath has been very convicting to me, as I am learning that I need more Sabbath times with God that are not limited by my work schedule. I long for more of Him. Through time spent with Him, He is changing how I see myself in relation to Him. I really can't understand how big He is, but He is bigger than anything I can dream of. I am realizing that there are things in life that I can't control, change, or understand. God has Authority over the Universe, not me. I am learning that when I do surrender to His plans, His purposes, His sovereignty, life works much better. When His plans are our plans, He establishes the rhythm of life to have both rest and work.,

Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28.

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Be still, and know that I am God."
The first time I heard this verse was after 9/11. It was on a video that showed the chaos of that horrible day. Intertwined with pictures, Bible verses would pop up on the video. I don't remember all the verses that were on the video, but I remember this one and it really stood out. I think about it all the time.
It was a sobering reminder that among all the turmoil, God was still there. All we needed to do was be still; be quiet and listen. It is also a reminder to me that no matter what is going on in my life, if I will just slow down and take time to be with God, I will know that he is with me; working in my life.
I have to admit that the past few weeks at church have been very convicting for me. I know and understand that I need to "stop" and rest, but I have to confess that I can't. I just have too much to do. Work, helping with homework, housework, getting ready for work; we all know the routine. In the past few weeks, though, I have tried to make time during my drive to work. This seems to be the only time that I have quiet time.
Although I don't make it a daily routine (but I am trying), I try to talk to God or sing praises to him through song. I know that if I make time, God's plan for me will be more evident. I have experienced this before, but as usual, I get complacent. I try to do things my way without His guidance.
My prayer is that we as a church can become better listeners, learn to stop, and spend time with our Father. I know that I cannot be in control of my life without His guidance. Be still.....God is our midst and he wants a piece of our time.

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The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. (Mark 1:35)

This verse is meaningful in and of itself, but like many things, it can only be really appreciated when taken in context.

Jesus got up long before daybreak to go spend time with his Father. He woke up early, showing that this was his priority. What is significant, though, is that the day before, Jesus had been healing and ministering to many people. It is doubtful that he went to bed early and got his full eight hours of sleep. It is doubtful that he made excuses to be able to sleep in a little longer, or that he told himself it was okay to miss quiet time just this once. It is doubtful, even, that he was fully awake as he walked into the wilderness as the sun peeked over the horizon to begin his quiet time. What is certain, though, is that he was driven by the importance of that time and by an awareness that he would not be able to handle the demands of the day without it. Later that day, his disciples sought him out as the people began looking for him; this day would be no easier than the last.

Jesus spent his life reaching out to people and meeting the needs of others. Without this kind of quiet time away from other people, refreshing himself in his Father's presence, I wonder how well he would have handled the pressures. How could he pour God's peace into the lives of others if that peace was not a reality in his own life?

If Jesus himself needs refreshment, we certainly do. If Jesus, with the demands of his life, was able to create space in the chaos for Sabbath time, we certainly can. And if Jesus had to wake up a little bit early to do so, we can, too. No excuses. If it's really important to you, you'll make it happen.

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I do not manage time well; I am writing this devotional at midnight when I should be sleeping--a testament to this statement. When I do go to bed, my mind is usually racing with the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" of the day, if I just had more time. So, I definitely do not stop to be still with God. When I try, my mind always wanders to other things. The only time that I find myself spending time with God is on Sunday during church service. The lyrics of the songs force me to examine my spirituality; the message of the service serves as a way of cleansing my soul of all the negativity and superficiality the world places in my heart; communion places me in a servant attitude toward God; and personal testimonies of church members strengthens my belief in God. I try to take something away from the service each week. Since we are focusing on "Sabbath," I have decided to try to focus on God as I am falling asleep, instead of the million other things usually racing around in my mind. I have also started listening more to the Christian music on my way to work. I am trying to visualize myself literally at the feet of Jesus and be more like Mary instead of Martha.

Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You are the Creator, the Eternal Light of this world. Help us to be still and know You. Help us to realize that we need this time with You, that this time is as essential to our well-being as breathing, eating, or sleeping. Help us to realize that You want a relationship with us; You want us to grow spiritually and prosper. You love us. You are there for us, even when we don't realize it. Teach us to kneel at Your feet and be the disciples of You.
Amen

Now I'm going to bed.

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