Psalms 5:3 (NASB) In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
There are few activities more settling to me than sitting in a tree stand on a frosty November morning, awaiting the sunrise to break and illuminate the world about me. I am still, but alert. I attempt to come into tune with my surroundings and the wildlife inhabiting it. The distractions and cares of my day to day worries are rendered from my heart. I am there for a purpose, a purpose rooted in peace and calm, stillness. In this stillness, I know my purpose and because of the stillness I can be expectant. I “eagerly watch”, listen and let it all unfold.
God wants us to be happy. He wants us to have joy, peace and goodness in our lives. But God generally enters into our awareness softly, as a whisper. To hear Him, we must be still. This stillness must be in body, mind and heart.
If I were to climb into my stand and turn constant circles, flail my arms about while whistling the Star Spangled Banner, I couldn’t very well expect to see much in the form of deer movement. The same, I believe, can be said quite often in regards to hearing from the Lord, experiencing His presence.
“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” ― Ram Dass So simply put… simply true.
Being still requires discipline and patience, perseverance, and above all faith that He is working and you will know when His timing dictates.
“When Christ delays to help His saints now, you think this is a great mystery, you cannot explain it; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. Be still, and know that Christ is God.” – Robert Murray McCheyne
We get caught up in the rush of the chaotic world that envelopes our life. We grasp and clutch for control that never comes, because it can’t. It’s an illusion. The chaos serves to only pull our focus from that which really matters.
Luke 10:41,42 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
So many of us allow our hearts and minds to be swept up in the noise and demands of life, when often times what we need to do is be still. How often to you make room for specific moments spent in stillness, eagerly watching? Throughout the day, how often do you pause when the weight of life begins to pull you down, and patiently, quietly wait on the Lord? How much of of that which distracts, burdens and worries you have you surrendered to the Lord?On all accounts, not enough, is my answer. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
