Be Still and Know that I am God

Every year I try to ask the Father for a theme verse to meditate on. This year the verse that came to my mind was Ps. 46:10 " Be still and know that I am God". At first I was a bit discouraged that this was my verse. I wanted something that talked about bearing much fruit and thought this verse was a bit boring and what new things could I learn from it? Well of course I was wrong in my assumption! I sat and thought about this and ended up journaling the following...

"Be still and know that I am God. That is my theme verse for the year 2012. I want this to be where my mind rests. To be still...

in times of change and transition

when I run out of love for others

when I lack joy

when I struggle with contentment

in the midst of chaos, uncertainty, turmoil

when I lack wisdom

when I am burdened for a loved one

when I am tired, etc

When I am still you will provide all these things and more. When I am still you remind me that YOU are the Creator of the universe and the blessed controller of all things and all people. I am reminded of who YOU are and who I am. I get my eyes of myself and on to YOU. I trust you are your ways- for your ways are not my ways, nor are your thoughts my thoughts. I will see people as you created them.

Being still puts life back into perspective. Being still is all about YOU and not about me."

Interestingly enough one of my daughters gave me a new journal with this verse on the front for Christmas. So as I journey through the year 2012 I am asking the Father to remind me of this every day and asking how I have done at being still in His presence.

The flowers and trees are budding! And the sun is shining! (something we don't see too often in the city) I am so thankful for the color and the warmth. I have to admit it was hard to think about coming back to Beijing after spending the fall season in the States and experiencing for the first time in over 10 years all the vibrant colors of the leaves changing. I was a bit nervous about reentry and coming back to all the pollution and grayness and crowds,etc. As I came back in I asked the Father for His perspective and these are thoughts He has been giving me.

"When I am overwhelmed with the crowds in China and want to complain about all the traffic on the road, He reminds me that HE loves those crowds and died for them and prompts me to ask for more workers. When I am seeing how ugly and dirty the city can seem to be He points me to look at His beauty and look into His face. When I hear locals say "look there is a foreigner" and point and stare and tend to get irritated at them for it, I remember that we are all foreigners and just passing through this Earth. When I cna see and actually feel the pollution, I remember that we are all polluted by sin and only the Father can cleanse our hearts. When I see the mess in my little apartment and get frustrated at the kids and Rob for not cleaning up, the Spirit reminds me that I am a mess without Him in my life."

Oh How we need Him every hour! We need His perspective while on this Earth. What perspective will the Father give you as you listen for Him and tell Him your worries and woes?