It's Hard to Be Still

As I was putting Gabi to bed one night, she told me something that really caught my attention.  As she was settling down she said, "Pappa D (that's what she calls me) do you know if you lay really still you can feel Jesus and God rubbing your shoulders and arm."  Then after a few minutes of stillness she said, "Pappa D, I feel Jesus rubbing my arm".  OK, so she really caught my attention!  Then as a little more time passed, in the stillness and quietness, she whispered. . . "Pappa D, it's really hard to be still."

This reminded me of the words of the Psalmist:

"Be still and know that I am God"

How often I feel like Gabi when she said that it was hard to be still.  We get so caught up in all the stuff of life.  And just about everything in this world screams, "DON'T BE STILL!"  This is especially true during these weeks leading up to the celebration of the most important event in all of history.  Now, added to our hurried, never stop pace of life, we have to prepare for Christmas.  There are all the decorations to put out and all the gifts to buy.  We have to make plans as to where are we going . . . or who is coming over . . . what food will we prepare . . . and on and on.  Be still??? Are you kidding me???

How terrible it would be for us to get so busy preparing and planning that we miss out on the actual reason for the celebration in the first place.  Sure, we know the "reason for the season". . . yes, we remember to "keep Christ in Christmas". . . . but so often these just become those catch phrases we say during this time of the year.  In fact, these phrases have become just as much a part of Christmas as "Frosty the Snowman", or "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"!

(Warning. . . toe stepping ahead!)

We are quick to STOP everything to watch our favorite college football team play.
We will change everything to STOP to watch our NFL team play.
We can STOP to go to the office "holiday" party.
We won't hesitate to STOP everything to catch our favorite TV show or movie.
We will absolutely STOP to talk about our co-workers or classmates.
We will STOP all our plans to get to that wonderful sale the stores are having.
We won't miss the chance to STOP to go sit in a deer stand to get that big buck.

But when was the last time we even slowed down to appreciate all the blessings of God?

James says it this way . . .  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights." (James 1:17)

So, here is my challenge to you (and to me as well).  Go against the norm.  Don't give in to this world's pressure.  Take time to stop and be still.  Who knows.... in the stillness of the moment . . . in the quietness of the night . . . you might just receive the greatest present of all . . . not just the cuteness of a little baby in a manger . . . but the reality of  the presence of the King!

Just a thought. . .

Bro. D