“Sit [tarry] in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
~ Luke 24:49 (MKJV)
"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." ... Then they returned to Jerusalem ... These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.
~ Acts 1:8,12,14 (NKJV)
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
~ Psalms 46:10 (ESV)
I value efficient use of time. If forced to wait (through kids’ piano lessons, etc.), I bring work with me. Life is short and I intend to cram as much as possible into my years.
I’m beginning to understand the folly in this. “Efficiency” is not on the Fruit of the Spirit list. How many simple pleasures and conversations and opportunities to express love am I missing?
Once Jesus returned to heaven, His disciples might have been tempted to run, or preach, or do anything rather than simply sit. Yet they obeyed Jesus’ direction to be still, waiting and praying for ten days. Had they gone out on their own, they’d have accomplished nothing. Once clothed with power from on high, they were ready to take Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth for Christ.
How much more might the Lord accomplish through us if we spend less time doing and take more time to be still?
Lord, You know our impatient and immature hearts. In a society constantly on the run, we struggle to be still for long enough to hear You. Please open our eyes to the value of being still not only in those times set aside for You, but also during available moments our hectic days.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Amen, help us to be still.
ReplyDeleteI love this thought, Anne. I was thinking something of the same nature last night, as I sewed my daughter's Daisy Scout patches on her tunic. Some tasks give us an opportunity to be still and reflect, even though we're still accomplishing. That must be why some people like knitting, though I've never learned it myself.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I used to admire the dad from Cheaper By the Dozen b/c he was able to get so much done in so little time. I think God is teaching me about stillness. Beautiful post!
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
As much as I try as well to cram my days as full as possible, those times when I sit and be still are the times when I learn much.
ReplyDeleteI love how God speaks to me through you.
This reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha.
ReplyDeleteJesus said, "Just take a moment to sit and listen". (or something along those lines)
It's something that I and most of the rest of the MTV generation find hard to do. Just sit and listen.
Great post.