Contentment In Stillness

Too many times in the past few months I have been in a hurry. Whether it is spiritually or
physically, I have just not really slowed down much. It’s been a combination of schedules, being
burned out at work, or just plain tired of worrying about everything. But if there’s one thing I’ve
learned through these months is that God is not in a hurry to get me anywhere.

I keep being reminded of the famous Bible verses that says “Be still and know that I am
God”. To be honest the mere thought of being STILL just irritated me. I am by no means a
homebody or a patient person. I don’t like staying at home for more than a day. It drives me crazy
if it’s longer than that. Being still or waiting is not one of my strengths, physically OR spiritually.
However, the one thing God has helped me to realize is that being still means trusting and resting
in Him. Resting in who He is, & what He’s capable of. When we are being still we are
basically living out Jeremiah 29:11…. “Okay God, I know the plans that you have for me, plans for
welfare and not for calamity. To give me a future and a hope”.


We can’t be so caught up in our everyday problems that we miss the blessings and goodness He
has in store for us today. We can’t be in a hurry to get somewhere in life just because things look
like a giant mess. Or, if you’re like me, you’re just sick of being where you are and you hunger for
a change bigger than anything you’ve ever experienced. God’s timing is absolutely perfect,
without question. He’s not in a hurry to get us to a particular place or destination. It’s all about
the journey.

There are so many things He has in store for us today. Perhaps peace of mind is what you
need, or joy. There’s an abundance of it for today. It’s a relief to know his mercies are
new every day and His joy comes in the morning. We need to be asking ourselves…. how can
I make the most of today?  It’s exhausting to think about everything God might want us to do
within the next year. But He doesn’t ask us to focus on that. Just take one day at a time and
enjoy what you have and where you are. Leave everything else up to him to worry about. If we
stay in obedience today, he will take us where we need to go tomorrow.

I’ll leave you with the following verse, so that we all may learn to be content in all things.
Philippians 4:11-13(The Message Bible)
" Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to
be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much,
with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry,
hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through
anything in the One who makes me who I am."


Amanda B