Robert Hamera is hosting our SJT gathering for February with the theme of closing doors/opening doors. You can read his post and find links to the posts of fellow travelers here.
Perhaps I could look at my focus for this new year of moving from do to be as a type of closing the chaotic door of too much doing and striving . . . to the peaceful opening of a door to trust God's love and to cherish time to be in His presence.
I chose my One Little Word for 2025, be, and almost immediately started making a list. Be organized, be patient, be kind, be grateful, be joyful, be me, be gentle, be still. Maybe I could have a different focus for each month. But I quickly realized that this was not the "be" I wanted for this year.
I prefer the feeling that is offered by this Alice Walker quote: "You don't always have to be doing something. You can just be and that's plenty." Do I know how to just be? Is it possible to calm the chaos and feel the bliss of be? I yearn to follow these words from Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." Yet I frequently find myself in pursuit of doing and feeling like I'm on a hamster wheel, forever pedaling, but going nowhere.
I enjoyed looking at internet explanations of the phrase "be still:"
- "The phrase 'be still' uses a Hebrew term which can be rendered as 'relax,' 'let go,' or 'stop.' It implies an act of surrender—a release of striving and hostility."
- An AI overview - "When God tells you to be still, it means to stop striving, to relax, and to trust in God's love. It can also mean to be quiet in God's presence."
And I found this entry on my SJT post about balance from March 2019:
- "I
find that I feel most in balance when I make time to be quiet and
listen, often after reading scriptures, listening to inspirational music
or praying. I'm reminded of a favorite scripture - "Be still and know
that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) And when I make time to be still and
listen, I feel fortified and more balanced, I feel more capable of
stilling the distractions and of feeling the love of my Savior. And it
doesn't happen as often as I'd like, but I keep trying (and try is my
OLW for 2019)."
I look forward to my 2025 journey with be as an opportunity to still the chaos; to pray, listen, and strengthen my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ramona, I enjoyed reading the snippets from your research on being still. I especially liked that you reread what you wrote in 2019 and shared it with us. Such a good reminder that we are travelers through this faith. Yes, to this opportunity to "still the chaos."
ReplyDeleteRamona, it is difficult for us to just be because we are wired to constantly be on the move and doing. Yet, it is in the quiet stillness that God speaks to us. We need to seek out that quiet time, open our hearts, and listen. Bob
ReplyDeleteI keep "Be Still" callligraphied on my refrigerator --my daily reminder. I think the best book I've ever read about learning stillness is Abraham Heschel's SABBATH. Alas, I am always on that journey of learning stillness!
ReplyDeleteRamona, this is powerful thinking that has made me feel stillness in a new light. I have been grieving lately-there is a loss of peace lately. Life is moving too fast and I am not finding a plan to open doors. My husband was admitted into the hospital wondering when he will feel normal again. His body is revolting against the Ozempic drug that has brought him weightloss but also vomiting and diarrhea to the point that he is not able to eat at all. I cherish our friendship as I do others in this group. Once again, I am stilled by your words and hope I can sustain this peaceful stretch of life.
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