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Recently, I have been learning that I need to tune my ear to hear Jesus calling me away to worship Him, in the busyness of every day. He has created this wonderful "fuel tank" in our hearts that is only filled by time spent in worship. I wrote about how Jesus often calls us to spend time with Him right when we're in the middle of something that is important, in our own minds, just like he called Peter and his co-workers away from their nets. But that is just the first step!  We can determine to instantly obey His calling, but often the storms of busyness still rage in our minds, making it hard for us to concentrate. Then we find that even though we obeyed Him in the instant, our heart is not truly His, ready to rest in His timing. Often, even as I spend time reading His word or singing praise songs to Him, my mind wanders. I'm writing to-do lists in my head, thinking out the text I need to send to a friend and trying to figure out exactly how to finish that fun project I'm working on. I physically take the first step in answering the call of Jesus to come away from the busyness and rest in Him a bit, but my mind is a battle in its own! The devil will do whatever he can to keep us from obeying the heart of the call of Jesus. Thankfully, our Master is also an expert Storm Calmer! He {Jesus} said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." When they sent away the crowd they got into a ship. And a great storm and wind came up and the ship was filling the water! The disciples said to Jesus "Master, don't you care if we die?" And He rebuked the wind and said to the sea "peace, be still." And the wind left and there was a great calm." {Mark 10:35-39, paraphrased} I feel God challenging me to take the next step of obedience - be still. Stepping away is not enough. The disciples were quick to obey when Jesus told them to step away from the multitudes that followed their every move. But when it came to trusting in Him, it was time for another lesson. They could've just kept trying to bail the water out and row themselves to safety. We can try to tame our own mind by using this method or those steps, but in the end, only one thing can calm our ever running minds and turn our thoughts only towards Him! We simply need to ask Him to calm our stormy minds.  When the storm rages in our minds and we can't find quiet in our own heart we need to ask Jesus to calm the storm, as if our life depends on it! Because it does. And then, at the sound of His voice, the quiet will come. Peace, be still. Be still and know that I AM GOD. {Psalm 46:10}  If you liked this post you might also like these:
18 Comments
4/5/2016 10:56:46 am
Wonderful post Stefani! Did you crawl into my heart and hear the yelling?! Seriously... I struggle with this. I find it very hard to slow my mind and find rest. This is one of the reasons why I dive into the Word of God first thing in the morning... because my brain is fresh and not cluttered with the stuff of distractions. 4/5/2016 03:16:45 pm
Yes, Jesus is the expert storm-calmer . . . so glad that includes my stormy thoughts. My mind does so love to wander to all the "needs" to be done. I certainly require God's help even to focus on Him. 4/5/2016 05:18:45 pm
Oooo....this is a hard one! I have so many things going on in my head/ and outside of it at the same time;) It can be so hard to be still, especially as a mother. But you are so right, if we ask him he will quiet our hearts and minds. I have specifically asking for this lately. Such a timely post for me. Thanks Stefani! Sharing! 4/6/2016 07:10:40 am
This is such a beautiful post Stefani, it just amazes me how your posts are exactly what I've been needing! Thank you for allowing Jesus to speak through you. Have a blessed day. 4/6/2016 08:34:12 am
Spot on! It's so easy to feel perpetually frazzled -- and I often finds that society applauds it. If you're not perpetually scheduled, continually productive, and chronically sleep deprived, then you must not be doing enough. We wear our weariness like a badge, equating busyness with importance. 4/7/2016 06:50:41 pm
We're definitely twins! My mind is always a raging storm. I was waiting fornthe 5 tips but you surprised me with the ONE thing (and the ONLY thing) that will really work! This one was definitely God-inspired, Stefani! Thank you! 4/9/2016 05:42:25 pm
Well stated Stefani! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who struggles during quiet times with God! Sometimes I will just push back from my desk and shake my head and refocus on my time with Him. Like you said it is the most important thing we do each day. Yes Satan is busy but I am thankful for the grace and the patience of my Savior as I learn to respect and treasure my time with Him. Love what you are doing here. I will definitely be sharing! Have a wonderful weekend and may God bless you and yours! Leave a Reply. |
I am on a journey to know Jesus better, and be the wife, mommy and friend that God created me to be, all within the walls of my own little home. <3
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