Be Still & KNOW that I am God
Good morning friends- a bit of transparency here. This has been a week of struggle. Many things processing on a deep level. Much time spent close to the ribs and breath of Jesus, My Comforter, My Savior. A healthy dose of sleep and regular napping have been my tools of survival and ‘being still’.
It is so easy and comfortable to write about victories. Mourning to dancing, sorrow to hope and glorious victory followed by glorious victory. While all that is true, there is another side to this journey that is not quite as warm, cozy and comfortable.
The journey is a struggle at times. It does not negate the truth but sometimes, it does mean we must wrestle with things a bit.
As I talked to Jesus about what He wanted me to write and create for this week’s Sunday’s ART of Truth, He prompted me to talk about the storm, the wind and the waves and being still in the midst of it.
Be Still & KNOW that I am God.
Isaiah 30:15- “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
I am regularly reminded of this song we sang at our Woman’s Retreat in March.
It is Well- Bethel Music
“…seas that are shaken and stirred can be calmed and broken for my regard…through it all, through it all- my eyes are on You…It is well with me…far be it from me to not believe even when my eyes can’t see…this mountain that’s in front of me will be thrown into the midst of the sea…THROUGH it all, my eyes are on You…
So LET GO my soul and trust in Him, the waves and wind still know My name…It is well with my soul…”
What do you do when the storm rages and when it seems, your soul cannot be comforted? Where is your safe place? Your place of refuge? It’s easy to have peace and move through life when we have strength, when tears don’t blur our vision. But what about when we cannot see a centimeter in front of us?
When the heart aches…or breaks…
When there is no intellectual understanding to enable us to navigate deep waters…
When there is no ‘talking it out’…
What about when there are no words?
When present reality clashes dangerously with past memories?
When we cannot do it AT ALL in our own strength…
I am sent back to His word, where I find comfort in His promises. I am reminded anew of His past and present faithfulness. I literally have spent hours curled up like a small child in that space between the crook of my Papa’s side and his loving arm. This place where I can hear His heart beat. When mine wants to stop beating or I can’t quite remember how to help it beat…there is comfort found in the heart of the One who never hesitates or stops. He doesn’t sleep. He weeps. He remains constant. An ever present help in our time of need.
He says, “Be still and KNOW that I am God…”
Deliberate emphasis on the KNOW. I began to wonder why. I know He is God. I know He is my everything. I know that all the answers are in Him. For me, this message of KNOW went beyond the bible knowledge, the memorized words…it goes to the KNOWING that belongs in the heart and the spirit He put inside of me. Us. The knowing when the thinking and feeling don’t match. When we are scared and confused and feel alone.
There is power in the truth of our God who never changes.
There is power in the blood of the Lamb. Resurrection power. Life sustaining power. Life changing power. It doesn’t bend or break under the pressure of memories or pain. It is ever present, constant, comforting and deeply treasured. It’s not threatened by impossible memories or grief that spans decades.
I encourage you as I encourage myself, move your head and your heart a little to the right, yeah, right there. That close, He is that close. When I look to the right I see the my Papa’s eyes glistening with tears. Not hopeless tears, reassuring tears. “I hurt with you” tears. Those tears say, “I see you, I love you, I know…and it’s going to be ok. I am your Papa and I know all about it…I want to take care of you. I want to comfort you. I want to hear from you. I want you to know you are not alone.”
Yes, that KNOWING. A knowing that comes from faith and not sight or any other sense that we come to rely on in our physical existence.
Can you feel Him?
Can you see Him?
Papa is such an endearing name. Our grandkids call my husband ‘Papa’. In our family it is a name of great honor, trust, loyalty and adventure. However, greater than all these things is His unconditional, fierce & strong love. So to call Jesus my Papa fits.
He is right there, for you, for me- for all who would seek His face.
