“Be still and know that I am God.” [Psalm 46:10]

“Be:” How difficult that seems to be for us mortals. Just being … not doing. It seems that every time we think of drawing near to Him, we think of what we must DO to get there. Way too simple it seems for it to be enough to just “be” with Him, because we’re so accustomed to “doing.”

“Still:” If being seems difficult, add to that the concept of being “still.” Determinedly we can make our bodies stand still, sit still, or even lie still. But being still inside is a learned art. Quietening our minds, unpacking our list, halting immediate plans in order to be still in His presence seems quite a feat. The noise of our internal world screams for our attention!

“Know:” To “know” has the potential of being a deeply relational term. We can know someone at a distance by recognizing their name. We can know someone in our social circle as an acquaintance. We can know someone personally as a friend. But to know Father God in the context of spiritually conceiving of Him [Hebrew: ‘yada’] … preparing to birth a calling, a ministry, a Kingdom undertaking … is the most intimate encounter as a result of “being still and knowing.”

To “know God.“ To know Him for who He is. To know Him for who He is to us personally. To know Him for who He desires to be through us. To know that He is the Source of the abundant life. And so much more.

So why settle for “fillers”? Nutritionally we would call it “foodless food:” processed foods that we stuff in our mouths, which fill our stomachs; and yet provide no nutritional value whatsoever. Such is life without ‘being still and knowing our God’ as our primary source of spiritual nutrition.

I was 13 years old. My sweet friend had invited me to join her youth group at Caswell Baptist Camp, in Southport, NC. Nothing could compare to the vesper service by the sea that life-changing evening when I made the most important decision of my life. It was dusk; the sun was slipping down behind the watery horizon when my heart warmed at the words of truth.

As the salty breeze blew across my face, the white-haired teacher shared the first scripture I would ever memorize, Micah 6:8: “What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy Lord.” Such an imprint was made upon my rescued soul, an imprint that would change my eternal course. Though I’d been in church all of my young life, it was at this time and place that my heart opened to my Savior. I have never regretted this decision; nor will I turn back.

Many years passed before I understood that ‘doing justly’ was reaching outward in a godly response to my neighbor. In some of the most challenges places, I would often hear Holy Spirit say: “Pray for justice and fairness.” That of course meant justice and fairness for the other party as well as myself.

I had admired the fruit of faithfulness in those who were in my social circle; but I came to appreciate even more deeply what a treasure loyalty was…an inward work that comes as we learn to ‘love God’s mercy.’

‘Walking humbly with the Lord’ continues for me as a work in progress, an upward focus while knowing that nothing in and of myself could ever bear the fruit of godliness. If there is any humble fragrance of Christ, it only results from years of learning {the hard way} to take the low posture and turn my heart towards the High and Holy One.

Though this experience was many years ago, I can remember the old war barracks we used as our quarters. I can remember the young friends who made me feel so welcomed ~ one with whom I still have contact. I remember passionately reading my first Christian book: “Angel Unaware,” by Dale Evans Rogers. My public profession followed a few weeks later back home in Raleigh at a Billy Graham Crusade. It all seems just like yesterday…a yesterday that changed today and all of my tomorrows, into eternity.

While watching our youngest grandchildren, I see their ability to live in the moment. Their ‘wonder’ is still in place. Excited about a bowl of ice cream, giggling while packing for a coastal vacation, enjoying one of their favorite meals … while the cares of this world threaten to steal from the adults… cares that are mental thieves that diminish childlike enjoyment of this precious life!

My own wonder gets misplaced. This creates in me another longing for that “Selah” moment: the center of God’s Kingdom. A child-likeness restored. Selah means to pause…meditate on what His Word reveals…and then rise to the next level. Well, is it any wonder that my ‘low level’ thinking needs changing?

When our thoughts are centered on truth, we realize that God is a big God, fully in charge of that which we relinquish to Him. So, why do we hold on to the cares? Why would we assume that we could handle them?

“In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength ~ but [oh me] you would have none of it.” [Isaiah 30:15]

Sigh……. Could it be that I’m beginning to understand? My ability to handle life’s challenges are NOT in my human strength, but in the stillness and quietness of my soul, resting in a deep, abiding trust in my God.

Childlike trust is explained: children simply believe. Jesus said, “Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” More “Selah” moments, Lord, that result in deeper trust in You.

“There’s the wonder of sunset at evening, the wonder as sunrise I see; but the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul is the wonder that God loves me. There’s the wonder of springtime and harvest. The sky, the stars, the sun; but the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul is a wonder that has only begun. O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me. O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me.” [lyrics: “The Wonder of It All” by George Beverly Shea]

I would rather worship my Lord in a tent than to be in a vast cathedral, with all the regalia, and find Him missing. These were my words to someone recently. I meant it … oh, how I meant it!

On the way home from our church, I prayed: “Father, I don’t want to lose You.” I wasn’t concerned about losing salvation; yet I was keenly aware of how far I’m apt to wander from His nearness while proclaiming that His intimacy with me is paramount in my heart!

I came to the realization: we cannot relate to our Lord by remote control. How convenient the sometimes-challenging television remote control can be. We sit comfortably, distanced from the actual set, and dial up the intensity of our engagement with whatever is playing. “On” button. “Channel surfing.” “Volume up or down” … Christian channel … nightly news … ‘talking heads’ … do I want to reeeeeaaallly hear Him, or do I want a faintly audible hint at what He has in mind? Worst still, do I just surf past His voice?

My heart was sad as I realized “all we like sheep have gone astray, every one to his own way.” [Isaiah 53:6] How easily we are seduced by the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life ~ and in the blink of an eye.

Eastern shepherds provide an afternoon shelter built among the shrubs, where the sheep can rest. Corralled within this structure, the sheep can rest while the shepherd keeps watch. Off to the side at a small opening, the shepherd lies, so the sheep cannot go in or out without crossing over him.

His plan of safety is and has been in place, divinely designed to care for His own. It’s we who wander from the Shepherd’s wise and tender care … ever so easily … ever so naively … and sometime ever so determinedly.

As I listened to my husband share his heart about fathering and spiritual fathering, I heard the voice of a enriched, grace-filled man. His boyhood stories about imprinting with his dad through hunting, fishing and golfing coupled with the times he challenged both parents because of misbehavior were not only heartwarming but real. Though I had known his life stories, once again I heard the satisfaction of the little boy bonding with his dad; I heard the life lessons learned from correction…both aspects being vital in child-raising.

Spiritual shape and form took place as Father God sent just the right men and women into his life as godly mentors. In fact we’ve both gleaned so much from those who formerly walked pathways ahead of us and who shared their wisdom. It’s from these rich, beloved resources that we’ve trained our own children and influence our grandchildren, as best we know how. Oh the joy of watching them impart to others.

Our oldest son shared about a particular day in coaching Pop Warner football. Season had begun this late summer day. Standing at the edge of the field, he saw a young boy running across the field towards him. The boy leaped into his arms, wrapped his legs around him, thanking him for being such a great coach the previous season. We learned that this had been a young boy whom many coaches might have overlooked. Our son mentored him into being a vital part of the team…and he continues to do so with high school football players today.

“Coaching” takes place in many ways and through varied sources. Many deposits of wisdom can be passed on … if grandparents, mothers, fathers, pastors and the maturing believers will take the time to mentor those placed in their pathway. We are both so grateful to those who have sown into our lives; we must pass it on!

We basically live in a “fatherless society.” So many are lost, wandering about aimlessly, waiting to be re-parented, to regain the things that they have missed. Others are simply being encouraged to grow in what they already know.

The young football player had the right idea: Run to your mentor. Thank him or her for all that they’ve poured into you. You may even need to sit at their feet a little longer. You never outgrow the need for coaching through life.

He made me feel as if I lit up the room. His joy was in being with me, proudly introducing me to his friends, and showing me unconditional love. He was gentle, kind, and never, ever had a cross word to say to me. Though I’m sure I pushed his ‘limits,’ he never made me feel unloved.

There was always, deep inside my soul, the knowing that he would never stop loving me ~ no matter what I did or didn’t do. To rest in that kind of love is an amazing gift from God.

Daddy was a true southern gentleman. He saw the good in nearly everyone he met. Oh, sure, there were some that Daddy could “see through,” as he put it. But they were few. When he met people for the first time, he was sincerely engaged, asking each one to share with him what mattered most to them. It’s no wonder he and Mom had friendships that lasted over 60+ years.

Daddy was admired by so many. He never met a stranger. Even in his senior years, living at a retirement home, Daddy was the one who ran pharmacy or grocery errands for other seniors. His energy was boundless, and his heart was as big as all outdoors.

Amazingly, my daddy worked out at the gym three times a week until he was 90 years of age. Trainers would hear complaints from young men being pushed to their limits, then would then ask them to take a look across the room at my daddy working out. Asking their guess of Daddy’s age, they would always guess somewhere around 65 or 70 ~ when he had already turned 90.

When I was very young, Daddy introduced me as his “favorite child.” Being the only one, it always seem to embarrass me ~ knowing Daddy was exaggerating. As I grew older, knowing I was endeared as his “favorite child,” I was prepared to easily receive the love of Father God.

During the time of Daddy’s last week on earth, his doctor, upon leaving his room and with tears in his eyes, turned around and looked at me. Pointing at my daddy, he said, “HE’S the reason I am a doctor!”

I am who I am today because Daddy loved me so deeply, and because he not only introduced me to Jesus ~ he ‘lived Jesus’ before me.

“Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thankfulness to God.” [Philippians 1:3 Twentieth Century New Testament]

There are varying degrees of grace upon our lives…some more than others. It is Father’s plan to distribute these gifts as He wills. The question is: Can we honor that which He’s given to us? Equally so: Can we honor that which He’s given to others?

“To each of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” [Ephesians 4:7]

To honor the gift given to ourselves, we are to willingly operate in that gift, while being a blessing to those around us. Gifts should not lie dormant, nor be used for self gain. That which is from God is to be treasured. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from Heaven.” [John 3:27] While acknowledging the Source of this grace, it is our privilege to utilize it to the fullest extent.

Honoring the gift given to another crucifies our pride. Submitting to someone with great grace will spotlight the selfish struggle ~ the anxiety or potential ill will that stirs within. It is a generous heart that not only recognizes these graces upon another but displays honor by sincerely rejoicing with them.

Jockeying for title or position is not Kingdom mentality. Neither is it righteous to withhold respect from whom respect is due. The one with the most grace will offer even greater grace in return.

Too often the perpetrator will lie to us that, should we offer grace, something will be removed from our personal blessing container. The opposite is true. The more we extend grace and honor to others, the more that comes back to us in return.

Father watches His children to see who is mature enough to receive the expanding of territory. The more we prove ourselves to be generous of heart, the more He can entrust into our care.

I once had a tiny squared piece of paper posted on our refrigerator entitled “The Complaint Department.” In the middle of this 2″ by 2″ square was a much tinier square ~ about the size of a pencil eraser ~ where one was invited to write their complaint. Point made clear, there wasn’t room to write much of anything. That little squared piece of paper mysteriously got lost over the years.

One day I discovered in Psalm 142 where the ‘complaint department’ was located. David wrote his psalm in a time of trouble, crying aloud with his voice to the Lord. He made supplication to Him and poured out his complaint. He did so “when my spirit was overwhelmed within me.” He realized that God was his refuge, and he asked for God to bring his soul out of prison so that he may give thanks to His name. Oh the joys of a thankful heart!

The last line [verse 7] of that psalm gives us the great clue: “The righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me.” Nothing is more ‘thorny’ than someone who voices dissatisfaction, resentment and fault-finding. So disdainful is this attitude that God even disallowed the grumblers and complainers to reach the Promised Land. At the same time, how sweet it is to fellowship with those who speak words of life!

Equally serious, Johns Hopkins studies show that irritability, griping and anger hasten heart disease. Proverbs 18:20-21 reads: “With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; he will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” ‘Satisfied’ means to be filled with or in abundance. An abundance of ‘death words’ or abundance of ‘life words’ will reproduce the fruit that we will find ourselves eating.

The ‘roses’ of life do have thorns; however, we have the choice to declare that thorny bushes do bear beautiful roses.

“The sparrow also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even [near to] Thine altars, O Lord of hosts.” [Psalm 84:3] David noticed the altar of God as being compared to a nesting place: a home. We would conclude that he found it a comfortable, safe, nurturing place to abide.

A bird lays her eggs and raises her young in such a place. This resting place provides a place to grow, to be nurtured, and to reproduce. David’s heart was longing to return to this place for his own nurture. “How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house! They are ever praising Thee.” [84:4]

The sparrow is the first bird mentioned. This tiny bird reflects those who feel insignificant, of little value to the Lord or to others. Our loving Father is well aware of those who experience the emptiness of soul. This little one has found a home in Him.

The swallow is the second bird mentioned. Most often we will see them twitting about as restless little creatures ~ so like the restless nature of man, who darts about looking for meaning in life ~ while failing to realize that the dwelling place of God is his or her only true meaning.

David recognizes the beauty of this place. In meditating on it, his hunger and deep longing are stirred. Only here will he, or we, find our spirits quickened and brought to vitality.

The dwelling place of God is not a temple, nor a bird’s nest, but in the very soul of the believer in Jesus Christ. We need not look elsewhere for the resting place; it is divinely planned to be within. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord.

Envy is often rooted in a struggle to gain identity. Cain and Abel…Rachel and Leah…Sarah and Hagar…Saul over David…Miriam and Zipporah…the biblical list goes on. Yet no one suffered at the evil intent of envy like Jesus.

Try to imagine the home life of Jesus’ family. Imagine having a brother who did no wrong ~ who excelled at everything ~ who had the perfect connection with Father God. There was a constant swirl about Him, while his blood brothers struggled with their fleshly envy.

Religious leaders wanted to take Him out as soon as He emerged in ministry. Synagogue rulers cloaked their envy in rules and lame attempts at what they deemed ‘noble passions’…trying to deflect attention on to secondary issues. They were deceived by the true nature of their hearts.

Father God strategically designs that we live in Christian community. In this community others are called of God to work in our same vineyard. We co-labor with Him while relating to our brothers and sisters of this family of God. But what happens when one works less hours than you, yet receives the same recognition, …. or the same pay, as depicted in the parable of the landowners who hired men for various labor hours of the day ~ while being paid the same. [Matthew 20]

It is to the glory of God that we confess our envy of others and deal with its ugly fingers on our souls. Bob Mumford says, “Envy is a crab bucket mentality.” You never have to put a lid on a crab bucket because crabs will never let the others get to the top.

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” [James 3:14-17] How interesting that these words were penned by Jesus’ brother James. After the resurrection of Jesus, James came to know his own identity in Christ.