I find myself in a state of Be Still. Here again, I know that God is with me, I know that He sees me. I also know that everything happening around me is all in His control, I have only to be still and believe in Him. I will place my trust in the Word of God:
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
In this state of Be Still, I won’t look to yesterday or tomorrow, focusing only on today. So often I find myself thinking about the past, wondering, If I had said this, or If that never happened… Maybe my life would be different. (What’s so wrong with my life?!) I look to the future with mixed emotions, knowing the kids are getting older and so am I! (I admit the stairs at home scare me for when I’m old-old.) So rarely do I focus my thoughts on today… Looking forward, looking back, who wants to live like that?
I’ve tried to be intentional, lately, about focusing on today. Allow me to admit, if I make any New Year’s Resolutions, that will be #1! Because it’s challenging for me. The past, I’m okay with, we’ve made our peace. (Besides, yesterday’s gone…) But, the future… It’s that whole mystery thing. Wait! Perspective. Each new day is a gift to be unwrapped and enjoyed (sunshine and rainbows). But really, isn’t it? Tomorrow isn’t promised to us. It doesn’t mean we can’t make any plans for our futures… We also must live, be present, today.
In previous states of Be Still, I learned a lot about myself. In this current state, I am looking forward to what lessons are in store for me. Already I have learned to recognize distractions that come, and serve only to draw my attention away from where it’s supposed to be. It took two close friends sharing their own lives with me, for me to recognize it within myself. The distractions. The need to slow down and shift my focus back to God. I rarely work myself into a frenzy, or allow myself to become that frustrated. However, I found myself feeling these emotions over things I was over, things that weren’t that big of a deal – looking back (that 20/20 hindsight). I had to wonder, what else is serving as a distraction? I was able to pinpoint at the heart of it all my foolish pride. Not everything happens to us. Sometimes we have to shift our perspective.
No matter how long I must be still, I will wait patiently. Everything will work out as it should, as it did in times past. My faith is in God in this season as it is in every season.
*Image Source: Bible.com
On the Outside Looking In 