I attended a gathering this week where hundreds of women poured in for worship, the Word, and wisdom that their story matters and freedom is available to them in Christ, and Christ alone! Thirsty for Jesus and the Gospel they came to the well to drink. As I soaked in the goodness of God’s children in worship and wonder I was reminded of my own faith story in recent years.
I was betrayed…You said, “Be Still!”
I was told to flee and fear began to tighten its grip…
You said, “Be Still!”
I was hurting and abandoned, confused and conflicted…
You said, “Be Still!”
I was lost and weak…
You said, “Be Still!”
People judged, juried and went silent in our life…
You said, “Be Still!”
Our story was hijacked by people who knew little and assumed much. Religious leaders injured and harmed in order to elevate themselves…
You said, “Be Still!”
In the deepest darkest valley, in the chasm of chaos, when all seemed lost you said, “Be Still!”
In the stillness healing began and the light of grace covered the hemorrhaging wounds of the spirit. Living water began to flow nourishing and nursing two wounded soldiers of the faith into restoration. The lies of the enemy were silenced in the stillness so overcoming could be born.
And your still small voice began to speak..
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:35)
“This is the way, walk in it”(Isaiah 30:21)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”Philippians 3:13
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
There are moments in our story to be still and moments to move.
There are moments in our story to remain silent and let the Lord fight our battles, and moments to speak in truth and love.
There are moments in our story to heal and moments to soar. There are moments in our story to mourn and moments to dance.
One thing is certain, religious leaders and systems will often leave us battered and bruised on the side of the road. We hear this story too often and have walked the painful road ourselves. Just like the religious leaders (Priest, Levite) walked around the bleeding man on the side of the Jerusalem road so it continues today.
But JESUS, now that’s a moment when the story changes…
JESUS, like the Good Samaritan, picks us up and gives us shelter.JESUS protects us from further harm and loves us into wholeness and strength.JESUS is the living water that nourishes our wounds and quenches our thirst.JESUS invites us to the journey of overcoming and witnessing how only HE can take the broken pieces of our lives and make them beautiful.JESUS gives us all a story of overcoming and in those moments we understand the discipline, wisdom and strength when “He says, be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) and the joy of finally being set free to dance!Are you in a season that bids you to “Be Still!” or a season to dance? Through JESUS there is power and testimony of overcoming in both!
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,” Psalm 30:11