“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 ESV
Many nights, after a day of work, I can be found out on a run. It’s not because I want to check ‘working out’ off of my list for the day, but to just take some time to breathe, to listen, and to reflect. I put on some worship music, and I just run… and so many times, I get so lost in conversation that I run much longer than I anticipate, not to mention, much further than legs should go after a twelve hour day on your feet.
In trying to stay true to encouraging my readers to take a moment of stillness each week, I have loosely selected Fridays to do so…mostly to keep myself on track, but also because for many, Fridays seem to be the perfect day to reflect on the week from which you are departing, only carrying forward the things that need to be carried forward and leaving behind the things that ought to be left behind.
Last night, as I was running, I began to consider what God would have me to write for today, when suddenly I realized that I had no idea what day of the week it was. The debate carried on in my mind between Wednesday and Thursday for what seemed like much too long, before looking down at my watch only to see running statistics. Finally, I remembered the lone statement that came from one of our doctor’s when asked for an update during the morning announcements; “It’s Thursday.” We all chuckled at his brief and seemingly obvious update at the time, but how clearly I needed that reminder.
So here we are, having come to yet another Friday. Another day in which I hope to encourage you to find a moment of stillness. For some, another end to the work week, for others, perhaps the beginnings, yet for all, an opportunity walk forward shaped by your past, and only carrying forward that which needs to be carried forward.
Last night, when I was stumped in knowing what day of the week it was, my appreciation for stillness grew a little bit larger.
Over the past few months, I have been in a season of rest. I haven’t really had a schedule, beyond that of which I created on my own, I haven’t had any outside commitments, and my time spent directly with the Lord has been without competition. I have truly been able to wake up and say, “Lord, what would you have me to do today?”, having zero clue in which direction He may lead.
Oh, how quickly the currents can change. I knew that my season of rest was nearing an end, as I was going to be starting a new job in the near future, but when I received the call to deploy and hopped on a plane just two days later, the chapter of that season quickly came to a close… and the beginning of a new chapter has now begun.
I went from having bookoos of time on my hands to write, read, study scripture, and be still to working in the field hospital day in and day out. Did I love having all of that time on my hands? Yes. But I cannot even begin to complain about the swift transition that has taken place and has brought me into an opportunity to so directly extend the love of Christ and to see Him in action through so many of the details in our every day within the ward. There are seasons for all things, and I wholeheartedly trust that the Lord has perfectly planned, not only each season, but the sequence of those chapters throughout our lives.
All of that to say, just as with the change in seasons, my moments of stillness have also come with a change. Just two weeks ago, I wrote that my moments of stillness that week had taken place by a waterfall, on a hike, from a rock shelf overlooking a lake and from within my tent, tracking the stars as they shot across the sky. Let me tell you, I have experienced none of those things throughout this past week.
My schedule has been structured by the itinerary that has been set for each day. I have acquired many new commitments; including commitments to my role as a nurse, commitments to my coworkers, and commitments to my patients. And though I am SO thankful that the Lord is so present in my work environment, through the community that surrounds me, and within our ward by the power of the Holy Spirit, my personal time spent directly with the Lord suddenly has competition. None of these are bad things! Not in the least, but it is a change nonetheless.
Last night, as I considered stillness and this past week, I realized two things.
One. Despite the drastic difference in circumstances, settings, situations, and obligations, there was consistency in my moments of stillness and it was from within those moments, that my gratefulness multipled, my soul was strengthened, and my praises grew louder. It was in those moments at the bedside, when I paused to invite God into the space or those moments when I heard my coworker praying form across the room, or the many times that I was fighting to hold back tears in just being overwhelmed by the goodness of God.
Two. So often, I encourage you to find stillness within the chaos; quiet within the noise. I encourage you to just soak in the moment and to invite God into the space, just as I have at the bedside or within the ward. But last night, when I realized that I didn’t even know the day of the week (after writing the date on my documents all day), God said, “Step away from the chaos and be still.” I believe that those words are not only what I needed to hear last night and again today, but it is also what you need to hear.
Finding stillness in the chaos is fantastic. In fact, it is necessary as we continue to live out that which the Lord has called us to and I will continue to encourage you to do so.
But today, I want to encourage you to intentionally set time aside to step out of the chaos. Take a moment away from the noise. Leave the clutter of your mind behind. Just breath the breath of life and listen with your ears to hear, appreciating the free gifts that you have been given from our Father.
Your seasons may change. Circumstances, settings, situations, obligations; those things all change. But the Lord our God, He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He has gone before us and will follow behind. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present.
Step away and be still with Him today, even if just for a moment.
