At night, tucking in my little guy is often a long process. Settling into bed takes a long time for him. His limbs are constantly in motion. Kicking, wiggling, tossing, playing. He can barely focus on my goodnight words, much less find his way toward sleep.
To lead him toward rest, I play this game. Usually, after we've played this one. I start always at the toes, placing my hand as softly as I can on them. I whisper, "Be still, little toes." Then, "Be still, little legs. Be still, little knees..." gently placing my hand on each joint and limb. He loves me to quietly command them to be still. And each part obeys.
We end with stilling his eyes, and his thoughts, as I softly touch his face and head. If I forget a part, he wiggles it exaggeratedly so I'll notice. So I'll give the command, and it can finally come to a rest. He doesn't have a hard time with the idea of going to bed. He just struggles to find rest on his own, once he's in his bed.
Today, I realized how much I am like him. The other day, I read of one woman's heart on how saying "Yes" to God is the hardest thing, that ultimate submission of one's life to His leadership. For me, it was not so. I was always a rule-follower. I took pleasure in making the good choice, and since I was in church from day one, following God came more or less naturally.
But obeying these 8 little words is a whole different story:
"Be still, and know that I am God."
Isaiah 41:10
The words are almost too familiar. They must be read slowly, a couple of times. I recognized today how restless my heart can be, like a little boy, wiggling in bed for far too long. I don't fight the Lord's leadership, but at times, it is very difficult for me to rest in the Lord on my own. For me, that resting comes down to living like He doesn't need my help.
I act like God needs my help sometimes in my anxiety. Or in my planning. In my ruminating on past conversations and what was said. In my hastiness. In my preoccupation with managing my relationships. In my reliance on my own understanding, and my failure to consult His. In my prayerlessness.
There are two life-changing commands in this short verse, both quite difficult. Both whispered, as Jesus places His hand on our restless hearts and minds. "Be still," and "Know."
"Be still" is a command of stopping. Ceasing to move, to juggle. The thoughts and movements in one's spirit come to rest, and the eyes of the heart open to hear and see Him clearly. And "Know" is a command to agree. When I know that He is God, I am agreeing with my whole being that I am not. Knowing is an act of the will.
I'm so thankful I have help in finding rest. I have a good Father. He sits next to me and whispers, "Be still, little heart. Be still, little mind. Be still, little hands and feet. Close your eyes. Rest in me. And know that I am God."
Lord, may I remember to practice daily the stopping and the willful agreement that You are God, You are at work, and You do not need my help. Amen.
So beautiful Leslie - and so timely for me!
ReplyDeleteTimely for me as well. I don't write as eloquently or thoughtfully as you do, but I definitely have many of the same feelings of anxiety/stress/worry that you do. I can relate with this post, a lot!
ReplyDeleteAmen. Preach it sister:)
ReplyDeleteI love this. These words describe me perfectly: "I act like God needs my help sometimes in my anxiety. Or in my planning. In my ruminating on past conversations and what was said. In my hastiness. In my preoccupation with managing my relationships. In my reliance on my own understanding, and my failure to consult His. In my prayerlessness." Thanks for a wonderful reminder.
ReplyDeletebeautifully said
ReplyDeletethank you SO very much for sharing this-hit me hard today. xo
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love my translation of this verse: "Cease striving and know that I am God." How often our trying gets in the way of our knowing. I know that I get myself worked up all the time over how hard I try to know God, and He says, "Just stop. Stop trying and know."
ReplyDeleteOh when can we have coffee together? Coffee and dessert? Three square meals? I love this post! The peace I feel when I am still is the most wonderful sensation, I don't know why it remains a struggle. Thank you wise friend!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that has always struck me by that passage, and others like it is that "be still" precedes "know God." I'm learning that I need to be still first, in order to know Him. I can't hear the still small voice when I'm in constant motion. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThe richness of God's wisdom is such a blessing. Thank you for such a great perspective. I love that your son would wiggle, sometimes we too fight God when He is calling us to rest.
ReplyDeleteOne of my sons had that problem, that learning to quiet is soul at bedtime. I used to remind him that is fingers needed to go to sleep, too. I wish I'd had your bed-time ritual - it is lovely, sweet and just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI also have struggled with "Be Still and Know." I called it Obsessive Thinking (not thinking great thoughts just thinking way too much). I had to learn to still those stops in their tracks. We must be soul sisters:) I so understand what you are talking about!