BEING…
Since you are precious to me, you are honored and I love you.
Isaiah 43:4 (GW)
Are you a doer? Are you always working from a to-do list? If you are, you probably get a sense of accomplishment from doing. Crossing off the last line on the list feels fantastic! We get to see and experience the results of our work.
However, how are you at just being? You might struggle because it feels like you're wasting time since you aren’t doing anything. What benefit does being have anyway? Being can be the entryway to hearing God’s voice. You may be asking, but how? Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God…” The word know in this scripture means experience or being aware of. So, when we’re being, we can experience or be mindful of God.
Have you ever watched a sunrise? You may notice the darkness in the minutes before the sun rises. Slowly, the sky begins to light up. You might hear birds or other wildlife rustling about. For me, the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the beach is a part of my story. Then, you begin to see the sun cresting over the horizon. Ultimately, the sun becomes visible, and the day starts! That entire experience may take 10 minutes. But there’s satisfaction in taking the time to be still and enjoy it.
That’s how God wants us to be with Him. At first, we might not notice anything. As we stay in the moment of being still, we begin to become aware of God. Ultimately, God has something for us when we are still—it’s Himself! What a blessing it is to have those moments with our heavenly Father.
APPLICATION: Take 5 minutes today and practice being. Ask God what He wants to reveal about Himself and then be still. Don’t worry if your mind wanders or you feel restless. Those are normal responses if you’re unfamiliar with this exercise. If you want to set an alarm for 5 minutes, do it. At the end of 5 minutes, or longer if you have time, thank God for His willingness to be with you!
PRAYER: Father, thank You for always being with me. Help me to become more aware of Your presence in my life. Give me opportunities to spend quiet time with You and realize Your love for me is not dependent on what I do. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?