The 10 Commandments are simple and impossible to keep
without a faith in the One who gave them. The same is true about other commands
in the Bible, that’s why I like to look at the some 7,500 promises of God
more. However, I was looking more
closely at two critical commands in the Bible that I stumble on, and perhaps
you do too. “Be still” and “Fear not!”
I am taking “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm
46:10) first because it is hard. We in America are always on the run to or from
something. I think we are often doing both and for lots of things and people.
If you say, “not me” you are lying. We are a frazzled and un-centered people.
Well, perhaps we are centered on ourselves. And that is the problem. God is saying,
“Be
still” and look at me, away from yourself. I am the One who made you
and love you. I am the One who knows the answer to every question. I will not
tell you why, but I will tell you how and what to do. I only way you will hear
His voice is by being quiet and still and silent in solitude. Yes, that is hard
to do in this crazy world. We need to be intentional. I suspect you have heard
of the concept of “mindfulness” by now. This is being very aware of the present
and what is going on around and within you. God is in the present with you, not
in the past or the future. Oh, yes He will be there when you get there. But
concentrate on the here and now. Find a place you can go and find Him. A secret
place to slow down and find God. I will say that this will be different for each
of us, as we are all unique creations of God. Interestingly, I have two places
I go to find and hear God. One is a chair in the basement where I do my
devotions, pre-dawn every day. I read His word and listen for His response and
guidance. I almost always hear clearly. Then I journal the thoughts God gives
me. The other place is on the road on my bike, riding in the pre-dawn darkness.
All I see is the morning star in the east and shadows from my bike light. I am
alone and God is with me. I sing, pray and listen. “Be still before the Lord all mankind
because He roused Himself from His holy dwelling” (Zechariah 2:13).
I enjoy reading Intimacy with the Almighty, Encountering
Christ in The Secret Place of Your Life, a devotional book dealing with
the “deep things spiritual,” the unsearchable and unfathomable. This leads you
to know that it takes discipline to find these things. Chuck Swindoll, the
writer of this book talks of four special disciplines: simplicity; silence; solitude and surrender. He tells us that we
will need to reorder our lives to achieve these. Albert Einstein once said, “All
things should be a simple as possible but not moreso.” He was a deep and godly
thinker. Our lives are too complex. Get rid of the unimportant. Don’t dwell on
getting just a little bit more. Envy and this world will consume you; so don’t
consume it. Does this seem like an insurmountable challenge? Perhaps at first, but these are disciplines
that take self-control. But I prefer to call it “God control.” I would start by tuning out so you can tune
in. Turn off the noise! Relax you need
silence for that. You may need some
other thoughts to achieve this. The best-selling devotional Jesus Calling Enjoying Peace in His Presence
will give you a daily example of what that means. Eventually you will find
a place externally and internally that brings serenity. Cultivate this; it is
critical to finding peace with God. If you are having trouble, another “s” word
to look at would be “self-analysis.” What are you doing or thinking that is
keeping you from silence and solitude.
God is saying to come away by yourself, alone and find me.
Calm your spirit by surrendering all the stuff that is bothering you. God will
supply all you need.
So how are you doing on your intimacy factor? Keep at it,
for it is a process of transformation that is taking place. Paul says in Romans
12:1, “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- This is your spiritual
act of worship. Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It is not easy but it is
simple in God’s guidance for He will be with you. I think this is enough for
today, next time I will do “fear.”
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.