Be Still and Know....No Really! Be Still!

"Be still and Know that I am God" (Psalms 46:11)

     Today's gospel reading is one of my favorites.  Jesus calming the storm for his disciples. His words to the storm...Be still. His words to his disciples…Stay calm. How great is it that I have someone with the authority to calm the storms and chaos in my life?  Someone who asks me to trust him and stay calm in the midst of the storm I find myself in. 

      In the last few days chaos has reigned free in my world.  In the hustle and bustle, I have clearly heard God telling me to "Be still & let him handle my stuff". To take my hands off my issues and give my chaos to him. He has asked me to sit calmly in his presence.  He has called me to be quiet and still. To trust him with my mess and expectantly wait on him to act on my behalf.  Why is this so hard for me to do? Have I done it?  Um, the answer would be a firm negative.

     When my storms are fierce and out of control, as they have been recently, trusting him with them is an incredible challenge for me.  I just want to control it myself.  To fix it the way I think it needs to be fixed.  Make it disappear if it's within my power to do so. Fundamentally, I understand I have no control.  God is in control, not Jennifer; however when a storm is brewing my hands are usually all over it.  I don't tell him about my storms until all my resources are exhausted.  When I am worn out, frazzled, and discouraged.  Only then does it occur to me to give my troubles to him.  I must get better at giving him my worries, troubles, and trials when they first appear.  He has the authority to clear my storms than me who has no authority. 

      Some storms in my life are brought on specifically by God.  He brings these storms for a multitude of reasons; however the most prevalent is to teach me.  He doesn't need my interference or opinion.  His only requirement is for me to stay peaceful.  To trust he will effectively speak to my storms and leave me in a tranquil sea of serenity.  He also brings storms in my life to test me.  He wants to see how long it takes me to turn to him instead of my own resources.  Unfortunately, it is usually way too long, hence, why my storms last so long.  Sometimes storms are brought into my life to build, stretch, and grow me for something God has planned for me.  I must traverse the stormy waters, in the here and now, to gain the experience and authority to witness God's power for some future event.  No matter why the storm appears in my life, the most important lesson I am learning is to call out to God first.  The sooner I call out to him, the sooner I am delivered into calm waters.

 

             One year ago, on this day, I was embarking on my first church retreat. I didn't know what to expect.  I was a nervous wreck, uncomfortable, and filled with fear.  Once the weekend came to an end, I was filled with excitement.  My relationship with God caught fire and is burning more brightly than ever today. I was able to share my witness to a group of ladies, who loved and supported me.  The retreat became a vehicle for me to spread God's "good news" to a new group of women from my parish.  It also gave me sisters in Christ to rely on, and share my experiences with.  It also made mass feel like home.  Where I used to show up and leave, I now have a bevel of woman to socialize with.  God truly did renew my faith on that January day. 

      Today the ladies, we shared our lives with, are holding their very own retreat for a whole new batch of women.  These woman, so very much like I was a year ago, are seeking to grow closer to God. A lot has happened in this year but it is not coincidence that today's readings were about "Being Still". "Be Still and Know I am God" was the theme for our retreat.  It is a great reminder that I am not in control.  That I must trust Jesus to fight my battles and calm my storms.   It also reminds me to never forget he is right beside me.  He loves me, even in my craziest and unbalanced moments. He will never stop loving me.  Every storm, I embark on with him, transforms me more completely into the person I need to be to fulfill his will. I thank God for my moments of stillness. Be still today. Let God work in and around you and wait expectantly for his amazing grace.

 

 Keep on trucking.