Stilled and Quieted (from the archives)

I woke up the other day and the most amazing thought popped into my head, "Yay! God is still on his throne.  That means I don't have to be in charge today!"   This is in such contrast to so many mornings for so many years that I woke up carrying the weight of the world upon me after having difficulty falling asleep the night before for the same reason.  I'm not sure what delusion invaded my heart and mind as I was growing up, but for some reason I felt that if I fretted, thought and planned enough, I could somehow control my life and pretty much anyone around me who needed assistance in that area. 

How refreshing to have finally come to this season of my life where I am beginning to realize that Someone fully capable and competent is already filling the position and does not need my help.  I don't want to mislead you into thinking that I've got this perfected in my life .... no, no, no.  I have merely admitted that He is more exceptionally qualified ... and I am smart enough to realize He does a much better job of being in charge.  Refraining from reigning has become intentional on my part.    

A couple of years ago I found myself struggling with a situation that was taking up way too much space in my brain.  This was my blog entry that day:
  

(5:00am) Be still and know that I am God. Today I am in need of a "decluttering" of my mind. My mind feels like my desk looks. Lord help me to throw away the unnecessary thoughts - organizing and storing what remains in an orderly fashion - so that I can be still before You.

(9:00am) The anxiousness that was creeping in earlier this morning seems to have subsided. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "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." I could tell this morning that I needed the peace of God to guard my heart and mind. Thoughts were crowding my mind with such intensity I was unable to sleep. These were not necessarily negative thoughts or harmful thoughts but I would call them unnecessary. They each seemed to be elbowing their way to the forefront like ill-mannered children trying to be the first in line to receive a free ride at the carnival.

As I called on Jesus to help declutter my mind I was able to drift off to sleep and rest a bit more before I needed to face the day. The elbowing thoughts have dissipated and the anxiousness that threatened to intrude has been expelled. His peace -- that transcends my understanding -- has graciously allowed me to be still and quiet in my mind and my heart.

Living a life intentionally surrendered to the Sovereignty of God is a pride pinching process.  Making the decision to surrender was difficult for me. Taking the daily, minute by minute steps in that direction - even more difficult.  But being at the starting line of this phase of my journey and being intentional about living a surrendered life is the most freeing and joy-filled experience I've known. 

I love the One who whispers, "Be still and know that I am God" and leads me beside still waters.  His authority and sovereignty, abilities and unmeasurable love truly make Him the perfect One to be in charge. These truths set the stage for my heart to sincerely prefer to defer ... to let go and let Him be God.  I am cared for exquisitely and can trust him explicitly.  Gratefully my heart can say, life is best lived when I have stilled and quieted my soul.  


Psalm 131:2