Purpose

Recently, I was in a thrift store browsing the used book section. I found a copy of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. Since I may be the only person who has not read the book, I picked it up to glance through and read the introduction.

What caught my eye though was the notes written on the last page.

The previous owner had written...

 

          the address for QVC

          the beginning of a Coconut Pie recipe

and...

           Stand for the Lord. The devil raises up his head but stand in God's word. Jesus said I won't leave you or forsake you. God is good. I thank God for you knowing you. I pray for you always, that as you lead that they (the church) will become as one.

At first...I laughed! 

 

Here is a woman writing in the back of a book that is supposed to guide you to a deeper relationship with God, the address for a shopping network and a pie recipe!

But then.....

The blessed Holy Spirit spoke so gently to me and said...my child...you are no different.

You busy yourself with things that are just as meaningless when I desire a close communion with you.

I desire what is first and most important in your life..not the leftovers.

I want your first thoughts of the day to be about ME and MY plans for today...not your own.

Wow.....

I looked again at the notes...this time...I saw what I hoped was a progression in the life of this woman.

First shopping and household duties...but then the real purpose of her life.

A deeper walk with the Savior who will never leave nor forsake.

A prayer life that includes others spiritual needs, and unity of the believers.

Father...begin that work in me.

Be Still

"But I have stilled and quieted my soul." Psalm 131:2a (NIV 1984)

I'm a talker; always have been.

When report cards were sent home, my parents never expected anything better than a C beside the word "conduct." One of my elementary teachers politely called me "very social," while most were much more blunt. 

"She talks too much. 

She could learn more if she would talk less."

Unfortunately, old habits die hard.

I brought this trait of talking too much into my quiet time with God, filling the silence with words ...

lots and lots of words.

 I wonder if sometimes the Father looks to the Son and says, "I can't get a word in edge-wise with this girl! She could learn more if she would talk less."

To be honest, silence wasn't easy for this girl who likes to gab. I wanted to tell God what I thought would be good solutions to my problems. To-do lists ran through my head, instead of peace and quiet.

 Dusty shelves and piles of toys distracted my attention.

It felt unnatural not to be talking, so I resisted it.

I shared my uneasiness with God but knew silence and stillness were things I needed to practice. During these times I heard God's gentle encouragement, "Shhh. Be still. It's okay to be silent. You don't have to say a word."

Gradually I felt something I couldn't name until I read this verse: rest.

My spirit felt renewed and at peace. In silence and stillness, God united His heart with mine, allowing me to experience the rest I needed.

As we fill the reservoir of our soul with the true refreshment from God we learn to relax in the rhythms of His grace. We experience real peace and rest that only come from the silence and stillness of being with Him. We carry this refreshment with us as we face the challenges of our day.

Do you have the gift of gab like me?

Do you find it challenging to sit quietly with God?

Ask Him to help you practice and enjoy silence and stillness. Your soul will find refreshing peace. God's rest is exactly what our restless soul needs.


Dear Lord, my soul is having a hard time being still. I lay down my resistance to silence and commit to five minutes of silence with You for the next month. I praise You in advance for what You are going to say to me in the silence. I thank You for the rest only You can give. In Jesus' Name, Amen