Be Still and Submit

I am going through the 40-day Devoted Experience with a recent convert to Christianity, and in so doing, I am being reminded of things that I obviously need to work on in my life.  So, please allow me to wrestle to two areas that I need to bring to Christ so that I may be a more fully devoted follower of Jesus.

1. Be Still.

Psalm 46:10 needs to be a life verse for me.  It says (in the NLT) – “Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Those are God’s words being recorded there.  Those are words I need to heed.  My life is constantly in motion.  I am a multi-tasking fool.  Emphasis on that last part. I still, after 30 years of walking with Christ, have not learned to slow down properly. I still need to grasp the concept of “being still.” Yes, God can be honored in my busy lifestyle, but He is more honored when I stop trying to “do,” and just relish “being” who He created me to be.  That doesn’t mean that I get a pass on that which I was created to “do.” It just means that when I am “being” who God created me to be, I will “do” it more effectively for the Kingdom.

God is more honored when I stop trying to “do,”and just relish “being” who He created me to be.

When I am exhausted, I am not of much use.  I must confess that lately, I have been exhausted much more than I have been at peace or at rest.  I need to “be still.” Yes, I listen to sermon podcasts galore and I find those refreshing.  Yes, I have several books in the cue in addition to the two I am struggling to finish reading. Yes, I have…well, that multi-tasking thing has raised its ugly head again, hasn’t it.  As I type this out, I note that my eyes are tired and burning.  It’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon!

Pray for me, that I will do a better job at just “being still.” I need those prayers.

2. Submit.

Paul reminds us in Romans 13:1-2 (again in the NLT) Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.

While the context indicates this passage is primarily talking about governmental authorities, the word ALL there means ALL. Parents, Elders, boss at work, ALL authorities.  To rebel against someone who is in a position of authority is to rebel against God. Under the assumption that said authority is not wanting you to violate a clear command of God as outlined in Scripture.

I am a rebellious dude by nature.  A child of the 60’s & 70’s, and a sinner at heart, I can rebel with the best of them.  Today, I needed the reminder that such rebellion dishonors God.  I am grateful for those in my life who help me remember such things.

My prayer is that I will do a better job at being still, and at submitting to the authorities in my life.  I truly believe that if I do better at the former, then I will do better at the latter as a cause-and-effect kind of thing.

How about you?  Scroll down and leave me a comment on how you are doing in the “be still” department.  What are some tricks you have learned to help you “be still”?  How about the whole submission thing?  I would love to dialogue with you on these matters.

Be God’s.