Friday, January 21, 2011

Be Still!

The summer came and went. Life was crazy. Working in enrollment management means that my summer is filled with student orientations, family vacations, and lots of prayers that students will actually show up for school.

The fall was equally busy. I taught a section of basic speech in the traditional program and a section in our College of Adult and Professional Studies. Add the holidays and all the travel to and from family and church events and you have a life that has been extremely hectic for the past six to eight months. The blog suffered from this hectic life schedule and this is the first post in since May.

Needless to say, I was so thankful for the recent snow days and the chance to relax and have some fun without having to be anywhere or do anything. I really got to just sit and chill. During that chill time, I did get the opportunity to do some thinking about the daily and weekly schedule of my life. I realized that by trying to cram so much into my days that I have been negligent in reserving enough time to just sit and listen to God. My prayers over the past few months have been more about talking than listening. I have been guilty of treating God like a fast-food drive thru: “I need a forgiveness of my sins value meal, a super-sized order of grace, a side order of guidance, and a biggie order of daily bread! Oh, and I have a coupon from the Son of God!”

Psalm 46:10 is the verse that always comes to mind when I think about listening to God, “Be still and know that I am God.” This whole chapter teaches that the establishment of God’s kingdom on Earth will bring peace.

That promise is true in a global sense, but it is also true in a personal sense. I need to be still and focus on God. When I let His will be done and rely on Him, peace and order comes to my life. I need to make sure that I carve out a part of the day, every day, to focus on God and how I can better serve Him. He deserves that and so much more.


I am not saying that in doing this there will be no stress or trouble; but that in doing it I am less likely to be deluded into thinking that I have to come up with all the answers or that my problems will overtake me. God is bigger than any issue I will ever face and He will be with me.

My schedule has not gotten any lighter, but how I actually spend my free time is getting back in order. Prayer, meditation, reading the Bible and listening to music help me get into a place where I can hear God’s voice.  Here is a link to "Word of God Speak" by Mercy Me.  This song is one of my favorites.

May the peace of God be with you!