There is something deep about being still.

In a world where noise is the norm, we are now more than ever unable to be still. Our minds are clogged with news, gossip, social media, short videos, TV, shopping, etc.. I’m not sure about you, even without that junk, I’m pretty busy. As a mom, I find it challenging to sit still. Even if I have no urgent tasks, I still have a mental list running through my mind.

Being still. It’s an art that has been forgotten by most of the modern world today. We think it’s normal for us to check our phones, have our tasks, and mark things off as we go. Doing so, we accomplish much on paper, but what about within?

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. – John 15:4

What does it mean to abide? Abide comes from the Greek word μένω menō. And if you break it down, the meanings it has include: remaining, staying, residing, continuing, permanent, enduring, living, and waiting.

You see, the way we seek God matters. All is for good. But I can be listening to a Christian song, yet not connect to Jesus. I can open up my bible and read, yet not receive something that speaks to my spirit. At the same time, there is a flip side. I might not have my bible in front of me, but because I am remembering the goodness of God, I can begin to experience His joy, love, peace, and comfort. I can be praying out of genuine desperation from an open heart, and receive the healing I need in an instant.

This is because we can either seek from a place of obligation and routine, or we can seek with intention. An intention to be still, to be present, to wait. An intention to meet with Jesus. To receive His love, and worship Him for His goodness.

Don’t get me wrong, there is much good in Christian disciplines. Those disciplines are necessary. They get us through the valleys. But we can often miss God, because we are focused on the disciplines alone.

“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I will be honored by every nation.
    I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalm 46:10

So what does it take? In a world that is fast-paced and driven by achievement, are we able to put God first? Are we willing to lay down ourselves and wait for Him? Or do we add Him to our chaos, and then wonder why we feel out of control? Because, if we seek The One who is in control, we no longer have to feel out of control. If we’ve already received the understanding that everything is in His hands DAILY, we don’t have to fear.

For me, it takes mornings. I have four kids. And one of them is about to be 10 months old. Once they’re up, I’m being pulled in multiple directions. I ask the Lord to wake me to have enough time with Him before anyone else gets up. And He does. My alarm on my phone is set for 6am. Yet, every day I am awake, usually sometime around 5:20. And instead of trying to fall back asleep, I get out of bed and thank God for waking me up. Then I sneak away to the living room and thank Jesus for being present with me.

For me, to be reminded that Jesus loves me and that everything is in His hands in the mornings sets me up for peace. Before I even open my Bible, I acknowledge Jesus. I thank Him for being with me. And often, I pause to allow myself to rest in His presence. Allowing my spirit to be tuned to His voice. Because my day, my life has already been established first thing. I am abiding in Him.

Then, even if my day does get chaotic or begins to feel out of control, I just breathe and remind myself to be still. And all of a sudden, things don’t seem so out of control.

Allowing the Lord to speak to my heart before anything else grabs my time and affection allows my feet to stand on steady ground. It allows the pace for the day to be set before something attempts to set it for me. It aligns me to His Spirit and His will so that I am able to restfully do what He asks of me for that day. I am abiding in the vine.

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. – John 15:1-8