Life can be insanely hectic. Time goes by so quickly, and even if a person uses it wisely, at the end of the day he or she feels like nothing was accomplished. It seems that no matter who you are, there's so much to do, and it's so draining to accomplish even half of what you would like to. If you're not careful, it's easy to get all of the joy sapped out of you.
That's why being still is so important. It's so easy to measure my life, my identity, my relationship with God by how much I accomplish. When I'm that busy, I forget why I've committed to something in the first place. I forget that it's about being in awe of what He's done in my life and about glorifying Him through everything. My real purpose comes from ultimate humility, where everything points to who I truly am, knowing what I'm not, and seeing how God has redeemed my life. It's not about how much good I'm doing in the world. Because if I'm trying to make the world a better place by my own strength, I will only fail over and over again.
So where does the picture of two boys eating mangoes fit in? Sometimes it's important to do nothing. To sit still and realize that God is still present, is still good, is still love through all the chaos. Sometimes I just have to climb rocks and eat mangoes with two young boys, and listen to their ridiculous and hilarious stories because I really have nothing better to do. Sometimes I need to take a step back and enjoy all of the small and simple things that God has put into my life. Whatever it takes for me to look beyond my current circumstances and realize how good God is, I'll try to take the time to do it. Very often I'll have to accomplish absolutely nothing in order to hear God's voice clearly. I have to be useless in order for the Holy Spirit to fill me with the strength and comfort I need to keep moving forward.
I encourage all the busybodies reading this post. Be still. Sit in God's presence in complete awe. Complete awe of Him, who He is, His creation. Be in awe of all the small amazing details of your life; be amazed at how God has intricately woven your life, your characteristics, your blessings, into an amazing masterpiece. Even through the chaos, He has made life so good. Life is hard, but He's given us so many blessings. His presence is with us in the chaos. He has chosen to love us infinitely, constantly, and so deeply everyday despite how much we forget about Him in all the chaos. So be still in His presence. Be in awe of Him, who He is, what He has given you, and where He has brought you.
That's why being still is so important. It's so easy to measure my life, my identity, my relationship with God by how much I accomplish. When I'm that busy, I forget why I've committed to something in the first place. I forget that it's about being in awe of what He's done in my life and about glorifying Him through everything. My real purpose comes from ultimate humility, where everything points to who I truly am, knowing what I'm not, and seeing how God has redeemed my life. It's not about how much good I'm doing in the world. Because if I'm trying to make the world a better place by my own strength, I will only fail over and over again.
So where does the picture of two boys eating mangoes fit in? Sometimes it's important to do nothing. To sit still and realize that God is still present, is still good, is still love through all the chaos. Sometimes I just have to climb rocks and eat mangoes with two young boys, and listen to their ridiculous and hilarious stories because I really have nothing better to do. Sometimes I need to take a step back and enjoy all of the small and simple things that God has put into my life. Whatever it takes for me to look beyond my current circumstances and realize how good God is, I'll try to take the time to do it. Very often I'll have to accomplish absolutely nothing in order to hear God's voice clearly. I have to be useless in order for the Holy Spirit to fill me with the strength and comfort I need to keep moving forward.
I encourage all the busybodies reading this post. Be still. Sit in God's presence in complete awe. Complete awe of Him, who He is, His creation. Be in awe of all the small amazing details of your life; be amazed at how God has intricately woven your life, your characteristics, your blessings, into an amazing masterpiece. Even through the chaos, He has made life so good. Life is hard, but He's given us so many blessings. His presence is with us in the chaos. He has chosen to love us infinitely, constantly, and so deeply everyday despite how much we forget about Him in all the chaos. So be still in His presence. Be in awe of Him, who He is, what He has given you, and where He has brought you.