I find myself in the paradox I do every year at this time of remembering to take time to remember the true reason for this holiday. I know the reason for the season and He knows me as well, but in the midst of the moras of Christmas cookies, plays, potlucks and family visits I get a little mixed up.

I had every intention of following an advent schedule this year. I have a book that helps guide you through it and I have not even cracked it open. Advent is not something we ever practiced growing up as a Baptist. I think it would help me to stay focused on the reason for this season.

I hear God tell me to Be still and know…my logical question the is “know what Lord?” Tell me what the end result is so I know what to be waiting for. My planner is packed and I always will make time for you, but tell me how much time and where so I can fit you in between Starbucks and the gym somewhere. But alas God does not work in such tightly confined spaces. He wants all of me, and truthfully I want all of Him. I have just got to sit still and listen for awhile, maybe for a long while.

At the funeral for the Works girls who tragically died at my church last week one of the surviving sisters shared this scripture. It was written in her journal the night before she lost her life. Phillipians 4: 6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ” God wants to hear it all, and he expects me to give it to him and let him multiply it all out.

Being still in todays day and age is very hard. I consider myself part of the emergent church, but I sometimes regret the way we embrace new technology with such fervor and passion all in the name of “reaching a new generation”. Technology (such as this blog) is great, but I think sometimes we need to chill on the technology that shortens our attention span, disconnects us from those around us and sometimes makes us very anti social and just reach for the Bible and talk. God gave us a great way to share the gospel message with those around us… our voices.

As life seems to get more and more complicated and more and more things start to cram into my time I am comitting to taking each new thing and truly asking if it glorifies God. If it does not, I do not need it. Some of you reading this might think I am becoming a Luddite… let me assuage that fear right now. I just think we are cramming and jamming to much into life so we do not slow down and ponder the one thing that is so incredibly amazing….a baby in a manger filled with hay, with only the sheep and the cattle to welcome him into this world. A Child that would so radically alter our paradigm of belief and focus that after he died the world would never be the same again.

Let’s all remember to be still. Exodus 14:14 says “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” I claim that as a promise, I claim that as my cause, I say LORD, take up the fight. I am the iron and you are the furnace. Heat me up and mold me as you wish. I leave it all in your hands.

~Selah~

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