Have you been hit with the crud that is going around? I can’t count on one hand the people around me most that have not had some kind of sickness over the last 2 months. It’s like nothing I remember seeing. I am on the mends from my bout with a sore throat causing me to sound like Demi Moore. One thing it has done has caused me to slow down and rest far more than is my typical pattern.
How interesting that my devotional theme all this week is “Be Still”. Funny how God’s timing can send us important messages if we just pay attention. Not only did my physical body need to rest but my spiritual body as well, needed a bit more focused time in order to power through all that has been swirling around me.
“Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10a NRSV)
It’s a good thing that Lent is on the way. This season of 6 weeks leading up to Easter is such a good time to be mindful of being still. Of creating a little more space to look within and listen for God to speak. A time to prepare ourselves for the coming events leading up to the Cross. I’m not sure what it means that this year the kick off to Lent which is Ash Wednesday is on Valentines Day (next Wednesday) and the culmination on Easter Sunday this year falls on April Fools Day! (My husband is not too happy about this liturgical/cultural crash approaching next Wednesday!)
However, I’m looking forward to Lent and this season of Being Still kicking off next week. I always love the Ash Wednesday service because of its focus on confession and repentance. That deep dive in trying to make right my Spirit with God somehow always helps pave the way for more fruitful and peaceful Being Still time with God over the upcoming weeks. It helps clear the air and reminds me my imperfections don’t define me. God is constantly trying to smooth the rough edges and strengthen the struggling aspects of my being. All of this settles me enough so I can in fact Be Still.
I hope that you will get ready for this fast approaching season of preparation for Jesus’ Resurrection. I hope that you will think in terms of how can you find spaces in your busy lives to practice Being Still. To pray. To listen. To sit into the full embrace of the Holy Spirit. To rest. So worth the effort of making the time.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am .
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Lory Beth
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