Stand Still And See

July 29, 2011 | 17 comments

Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes.
— 1 Samuel 12:16

I live at the end of a dusty country lane, lined with trees and bordered by bucolic fields that wave happy green greetings every morning.  It is a still, calm world, this one here on the farm.

But when I’m at the wheel of this life, it feels like I live on a freeway. And who can ever see God doing His wonders when we’re zipping through life at 70 miles per hour?

How will I see the holy, on the highway? I need to slow — so I can behold the sacred, in the stillness. Does anyone know where I can find the nearest rest-stop?

I want to slow the pace, follow the way of Christ, the One who never seemed in a hurry.* His pace was Peace. He took the backroads. He stopped at wells, lingered long with friends.

Iwant to walk like my Savior. I want to keep step with my God.

And sometimes that means I need to do this: Just. Stand. Still. 

Samuel said it. “Now then,” he said. “Stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!”

I don’t think Samuel was talking about body posture, but rather about the fixed attention of the eye. The posture of the mind.

God is the ever-present, almighty Living God. And He is here. Always, right here. But I can’t see God at work — nor can I witness the wonders — when life is a racing blur toward the finish line.

Let’s take a deep breath this weekend, shall we? Let’s pull over at the freeway rest stop and linger long. Let’s still the heart and the mind and focus the eye.

Take notice, dear one. The LORD is about to do a great thing before our eyes. Let’s stand still and see what it is.

 

Photo Illustration: Anna and Binoculars, using Picnik.

* = “Jesus never seemed in to be in a hurry.” Ann Kroeker, Not So Fast, pg. 105.

Today, I am again participating in The Gypsy Mama’s Five-Minute Friday prompt, in which writers are encouraged to write for five minutes about one word. I’m not very good about following the rules, because once again, it took me eight minutes to write! 🙂 Care to participate with The Gypsy Mama? Click here!

Today’s writers were encouraged to write on this one-word prompt: still.

Here’s how Five-Minute Friday works, according to The Gypsy Mama:
“On Fridays around these parts we like to write. Not for comments or traffic or anyone else’s agenda. But for pure love of the written word. For joy at the sound of syllables, sentences and paragraphs all strung together by the voice of the speaker. We love to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For five minutes flat.”

by | July 29, 2011 | 17 comments

17 Comments

  1. Krista

    Sigh. If five minute Friday is like chatting with the neighbors in the front yard before you brush your hair or change out of your bathrobe, perhaps eight minute Friday means you at least took time to brew coffee and bring out a mug to share. I like being neighbors with you. Good stuff, even without the polish!

    Reply
    • KristaBelieves

      umm…seriously? Are you guys neighbors? I need neighbors like you! I can bring out the coffee next Friday 🙂

      Reply
      • dukeslee

        Hi KristaBelieves! We’re not actual neighbors. But we’re online neighbors — kinda like you and I. I think you fit in great in this crazy, fun neighborhood of Jesus-Sisters (and Brothers).

        Reply
    • dukeslee

      Thank you Krista! I appreciate your kind words. They encourage me. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jen (Sticky Note Queen)

    Great post! And, very true! With life moving so fast, we sometimes don’t take the time to stand still and marvel at the wonders God has put in front of us!

    Reply
  3. KristaBelieves

    Ahh…I’m in tears. This speaks volumes to me! Thank YOU for sharing your perspective on “still” and how God is speaking to you through this one word! Amazing!

    Reply
  4. Andrea Hutchinson

    A posture of the mind!
    You have rendered me still with that and I ponder …
    His pace was peace … I am awed!
    Blessings

    Reply
  5. Phoebe

    This is very refreshing for me. I love that verse. Thank you so much for spending the extra time for us. 🙂

    Reply
  6. kendal

    still. yes. be still and know. great five minutes!

    Reply
  7. Linda

    Such lovely thoughts Jennifer. I thought that at this empty nest season of life the pace of would slow. But even though the busyness abates a bit (although we’re still rather hurried at times) it doesn’t mean my mind and heart are still. It is so easy to get caught up in worry and care. I do need to still my heart and mind and focus on Him.
    You always bless.

    Reply
  8. Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama

    Man, I’ve got nothing more eloquent than just wow and yes and wonderful and thank you.

    Reply
  9. Brenda

    I love the idea of “the posture of the mind”. Just visualizing that makes me remember the importance of keeping my thoughts on Him. Thank you for this beautifully written post!

    Reply
  10. Jennifer@Adam's Rib

    That mind posture has been my undoing this week. Slowing down for the weekend here as well. Love the photo.

    Reply
  11. Michelle DeRusha

    Just read that verse and underlined it twice in my Bible — it leapt off the page. And so do your words here, dear Jennifer.

    And I need to thank you…an old acquaintance neighbor who moved to Kansas was recently reading your blog. She saw my blog listed on your blogroll and clicked over to my place, and then realized she knew me. She left a comment, and now we have reconnected via email! Thank you for that!!

    Reply
  12. pat

    Hello dear Jennifer it’s been a long,long time good to see you again,and of course your encouraging words still speaking”Slow Down”! Oh how much better we would handle life if we just slow down and focus on our ever loving Saviour Jesus Christ,wonderfully done.I found you through the new Google + sight,I hope you have a wonderful day.
    Love ya
    p.s. love the new look.

    Reply
  13. Michelle

    I do hear the Lord speaking to me through this.
    I have read a few posts tonite and their all talking about being still before God.
    Thank you for this word.

    Reply
  14. Megan Willome

    I tried to be more still this weekend, thanks to your encouragement.

    Reply

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