A Millennial Exploration: Stay Still (Day 3)
Today, I’ve purposed in my heart to just sit in the presence of the Lord (as best I know how). Even as I typed the previous sentence my mind is filled with exciting possibilities of today and goals from four years ago. Oh, it’s always ironic how many things you could do when you purpose in your heart to commit to a Sabbath.
For me, there is a distinction between “rest” and “staying still”. In rest you are replenished, but in stillness you are tested. I feel a little foolish asking for a deliberate test on the last day of the weekend. At the same time, I’m encouraged in exploring what daily provision looks like.
Like many, I also confuse my hand with God’s. I confuse my inner voice with the Holy Spirit’s whisper. I confuse what I will to do versus what the Lord will have me to do. And the best way to reset my spiritual communication is to sit still.
Just sit.
Sit in the present; the gift of today. And allow my current level of preparedness to testify for me, or against me. If all I had was today, and somehow 2020 had one more unpleasant trick up its sleeve, would my record of stewardship be inline with the will of God? I take no pleasure in being right in my own eyes if I’m actually a disgrace to the Lord.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
(Matt. 7:21–23)
One of the most beautiful gifts the Holy Spirit has awarded to believers is a mirror; honest reflection and then an unction to fall to our knees in repentance. So I count it joy for the opportunity of stillness and self reflection — here we go.
Father, put my flesh up under subjection. You are the most High! Let not my mind and spirit be hijacked by vain pursuits and tasks with no merit! Edification is my portion. Stillness is my portion. Peace and serenity are my portion. I receive my daily bread from you! It is enough to carry me throughout this day.
Help me to reflect on my spiritual health. Incline my heart and my affections to follow your will! I don’t want to be ignorant of my disobedience. Humble me and allow your perfect fire, that neither burns nor consumes, to cover me! In Jesus’s name, Amen.
