Still

I remember a few years back. I was at a work conference. It was early dawn. I sat across from a lake with my bible, journal and pen. This is what I wrote …

When I look on this lake, dead still in the early morning emerging light. So still that it reflects the sky. The colour. Pinkish and each dusty grey cloud. All perfectly reflected.

When you are still you reflect. Not only reflect Him in your life but have the stillness, the quiet, the space to ‘reflect’, meditate, muse, understand why and what happened and regroup for a coming day or season. It gives space for ‘serious thought’ and ‘consideration’. To hear Him and consider what He is saying. Conclusions made after careful thought.

I heard Him say,’Stillness allows you to hear My voice and carefully consider what I say. It allows for the permeation of heaven through your soul. I am creating a picture of heaven through you and when you are still, I can paint.’

Look at the whole of Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
 
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,

Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her [His city], she will not be moved;
God will help her when the morning dawns.

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered and were moved;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
 
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has brought desolations and wonders on the earth.

He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah

To be still is a call to BE IN AWE. Cease striving, being afraid, fighting for survival. Acknowledge who God is and BE IN AWE.

‘There is a silence of stillness that should overtake us in the presence of someone so overwhelmingly holy and glorius. The call to all is to be still before our holy, awesome and glorius God’ – John Casteel

‘Be secure. Be safe in Me, Bernie. Feel safe in Me.’

‘Nothing in this world will offer you the security you have in God’ – John Casteel

BE SECURE

Fast forward 3 years and this morning I read the below words highlighting yet another important part of being still.

‘Waiting upon God is vital in order to SEE Him and receive a vision from Him. The amount of time spent before Him is critical, for our hearts are like a photographer’s film – the longer exposed, the deeper the impression. For God’s vision to be impressed on our hearts, we must sit in stillness at His feet for length periods of time. Remember, the troubled surface of a lake will not reflect an image’…. ‘seeing God always transforms human life‘ – Dr Pardington

Jacob ‘crossed the ford of Jabbok’ (Genesis 32 v 22), saw God, and became Israel. Seeing a vision of God transformed Gideon from a coward into a courageous solider. And Thomas, after seeing Christ, was changed from a doubting follower into a loyal, devoted disciple.’ – Dr Pardington

Be still. Let God reflect heaven through your life; allow time to carefully consider Him and His words in relation to all your ways; be in awe of who He is – left speechless, stilled by His might, secure and wait. Be Still. Allow Him to impress who He is and His vision for your life onto your heart. Be still and let Him set you on fire.