Several months ago I read this post on another blog about choosing one word to focus on for the entire year. I think this is a brilliant idea. I love simplifying things and focusing on goals...it helps keep me grounded. So after reading that, I began to pray for a word or a phrase to focus on for 2014 and after awhile I began to have one phrase laid on my heart, over and over. Simply...be still.
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So that is my phrase for 2014. I want to be still this year. I want to be quiet, to stand firm and fixed, I want to be at peace, I want to rest. I want to be still in my marriage, to listen more than I speak, to bring peace and rest instead of worry or stress. I want to be still as a parent, to be a place of rest, a mom of peace, quiet and calm. I want to be still in my home, to be the calm in the storm and a fixed place my family can rely on. I want to be still in prayer so that I can hear my Father speak to me. I want to be still in my comings and goings so that I can be more present, every day. This year, I choose to be still.
Its funny because "be still" is a phrase my grandma used to say to us when we were acting up or getting a little out of control. I've thought about that a lot as I've meditated on this phrase and can kind of see why God led me in this direction. I tend to be an anxious person. I worry, I over-plan, I stress, I anticipate. So now, I need to learn how to just be still.
"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!"
1 Samuel 12:16
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land." Psalm 37:7-9
"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
"The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Psalm 116:5-7
"Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
Zechariah 2:13
"God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” Isaiah 28:12a
"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" Isaiah 30:15a
Father, teach me how to be still. Let my heart be still. Let my mind be still.
