Slow Down! We Move Too Fast — Part Two

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10(NKJV)

 

The last time I was with you I had stated that I was going to cover what is known as ‘The Rat Race” and today I would like to continue that but not from the starting line. That’s where the pace of Secularland lines up as it frantically awaits for the green line to drop. Nah, sometimes it’s better to observe this particular race from the grandstands, where you allow yourself to believe you’re safely outta the way of traffic because you are simply sitting still, or are you? Hmm… Well, in actuality, one of the major aspects of this race (besides its being rude, crude, and obnoxious) is that it can get very loud, very quickly, and is something that you cannot avoid by simply sitting in the grandstands. Sounds more like a NASCAR event but, hopefully, you got the illustration.

 

There are quite a few moments in our Bibles where God is instructing us to “Be Still” and that would concern two primary areas of human activity: movement and speech. Many may think that by simply not moving you’re being still and that our minds are free to take a breather from having to mentally line up and frantically await for the green light to drop. As true as that may be is as true as this also includes the absence of talking. There can be just as much stress in the engagement of conversation so being still includes being quiet. But not in a “shut up” kinda quiet, where things feel awkward but in the literal absence of talking. You can listen to music in this “being still” moment but that too can lead to unnecessary distractions, like humming the melody or singing along with the lyrics.

 

If the object of being still is getting to a place where you’re in an environment that’s free of distraction, interruption and engines revving at top RPM’s then take some advice from David as he writes, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” (Psalm 23:1-2) Allowing the Great Shepherd to lead to that place where He knows His fresh, peaceful waters will make for content sheep (that’s you and me) we can move along to the second half of what it takes in this “being still” moment.

 

“Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”  Job 37:14

 

Once we find ourselves in His green pastures, alongside His still waters, we are encouraged to meditate on whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) I realize that’s easier said than done but if we were to consider Job in this scenario we may be finding ourselves sitting still with 3 naysayers who want us to just admit our sin to the world and appease God. If not for the youthful voice of Elihu, Job may have not gotten to chapter 38.

 

Job was so stuck on his justifications, being based on his works and all that he had done, that Elihu argues that Job should see this trial he’s under from God’s perspective. “Consider the wondrous works of God,” Elihu encouraged. Elihu is pretty much telling Job that turning from being frustrated and full of questions will change the viewpoint from yourself to Gods. In a nutshell Elihu says, “Be still and consider what God has done.” Now, if you were the one on an ash heap, with scraped off sores, dressed in a burlap sack, you may have trouble finding that “being still” moment but according to the Word of God, it is there as well. There’s a lot to said of looking up instead of looking out…just sayin’.

 

So, if you’re considering taking a seat in the grandstands to watch all the zaniness that’s happening in the world while you try to find rest maybe you oughta consider the pit stop area instead. Never know if there’s an Elihu waiting for you, to encourage you to take what Paul wrote to the Philippian church on what to meditate upon and find rest. Hopefully it’ll be there where you can see that your efforts, while being still, simply pale in comparison to what God does with His creation every day. I would to close for today with this quote from Richard Ritenbaugh of The Berean Call… “Once we can see ourselves in comparison to our great God, we will be in the proper attitude to receive instruction, correction, direction, or whatever God wants us to have. So, when we enter a still place, to achieve the proper frame of mind, we must turn our minds from the mundane and consider God and what He has done.”

 

Amen?

 

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a child of El Elyon, a son, a husband, and a father. He has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of The Colony of Mercy, 11/2003. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize:“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. “ Hebrews 4:16