Learning to Be Still
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.” Exodus 14:14
What is it that makes being still so hard? We live in such a fast-paced world, with constant entertainment at the tips of our fingers. We live in a self-sufficient, always-busy, performance-driven culture where we are capable, sure, successful, and ready to run hard at any and all times of the day. I get so wrapped up in those ideas, so sure of my own ability to help myself, rescue myself, and prove myself to others. And then I find myself weary, burnt-out, and in need of some serious help.
If you hung out with me in real life, you’d know I loooooove to pride myself on being capable and productive. It’s hard for me to sit and watch an episode of TV or take a nap because there is always something else that needs to be done, something that I am putting off by resting. But all that performance and perfectionism is coming to a halt in this season.
Really all of this year has been a bit of a struggle for me health-wise, but for the last few weeks, I’ve been hauled up in bed sick as a dog. And I’ve had to ask for help, cancel my plans, get my husband to do basic things for me like put away the groceries and fold the laundry. This season could be really upsetting and disappointing for the fact that I’m not able to go at my normal pace, but I actually feel really thankful for my weakness because it’s teaching me so much about God’s heart.
Exodus 14:14 keeps replaying in my mind every time I start to feel bad for what I’m capable of doing right now. I could spend my time beating myself up for being weak and sick and tired, but I’m coming to believe that the Lord always wants to fight for me, provide for me, take care of me, and so much of the time, I’m elbowing him out of the way to prove I can do it. God is not insecure about His ability; He knows He has what it takes to provide for us. So can we get out of the way and actually let Him care for us? Can we trust in His goodness? I think I’m starting to for one of the first times in my life.
My prayer for each of us in this season is to really learn to trust God’s heart for us. We can be still because He is in control. We can rest because He is taking care of us.