I am not one to sit still. Anyone who steps into my shadow for a day needs to rise early and lace up their most comfortable running shoes. From the moment my feet hit the floor, my to-do list begins cycling in my head. I would be the first to admit that I like filling my shoes with capable and self-sufficient.
But what I’ve experienced is that my strengths can quickly become my downfall. Simply put, I struggle with being still long enough to let God work. I wrestle with not taking things into my own hands, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
As I write this, the struggle continues. In my core, I know I shouldn’t take back what I’ve surrendered at least 100 times. But in my head, it plays out differently, and harnessing those thoughts chomping at the bit to take control is just plain hard.
We want to control every aspect of our lives, but as hard as we try, we can’t. Sometimes, the surrender is the answer.
Sometimes our hardest grace is learning to sit still.
The truth is, in many situations, we can only do so much. Particularly when it involves people. Sometimes we can check off everything on our list in hopes of steering people and situations to our desired conclusion, only to discover the matter isn’t resolved when or how we expect.
We wonder if we have done enough or said enough.
We second-guess our choices, our words and our actions.
We find ourselves knee-deep in worry and discouragement.
In the midst of a decade-long struggle, I’ve been continually hearing these words from Ruth’s story in the Old Testament, “Sit still my daughter.”
If you aren’t familiar with Ruth’s story, it’s a powerful short read.
Finding herself a widow, Ruth followed her mother-in-law, Naomi’s detailed instructions perfectly.
After washing, putting on perfume, dressing in her best clothes and making her presence known in a particular place and at a particular time and in a particular way, there was nothing more she could do to resolve her situation. Her best efforts could not ensure things would turn out the way she wanted.
“Wait my daughter until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.” Ruth 3:18
The moment came when she had to make the choice to simply “sit still.” And trust that Boaz, her guardian-redeemer, would not rest until the matter was settled.
Oh, how I wish my heart could get to this quiet and certain place of trusting. I’ve been there plenty of times, but each new struggle is as fresh as the first.
God longs for us to stay in a still, quiet and certain place of trusting because it's where He does some of His best work...in US. Share on XHow often is God whispering this same encouragement into our hearts? When we find ourselves running and chasing and grasping to manage the way we can’t see. When we find every item on our list has been checked off and every detail followed, yet the outcome wanes.
When we have done our very best to follow Him, and we still can’t seem to be rescued from our hurt.
And, how much more can we trust the heart of our own Guardian-Redeemer to not rest until the matter which consumes us is settled? What if it takes waiting until the 11th hour? And what if waiting meant the matter would FINALLY be settled?
Perhaps like me, one more thing needs to be added to your list.
Sit still, my daughter…sit still.
Today’s C’est Si Bon Find…
BE STILL AND KNOW SWEET WATER CANDLE
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