**I’m serving up a ‘small plate’ blog this summer. Short and sweet is the goal – less words, less fuss, more sweet.
‘Stay!’ puts a picture in my head of our former beloved Border Terrier, Nate, and me, my hand splayed in a stop signal before his face trying to teach him to ‘stay’.
Nate is doing his usual violently shaking, his wagging bottom barely touching the ground, so great is his desire to run over to me as I slowly step backwards while repeating the command ‘Stay!’, in my low ‘I mean business’ voice.
Staying is no small thing for man or beast.
If you’re like me, you want to move – to just ‘Do It‘ – go get the prize – in this case, peace. I see peace as something I must fight for; it is a raging battle, it is a war I want to win – ’cause there’s a prize I want to have – peace.
[tweetthis display_mode=”box”]I will admit, I expect my life to have peace, the question is what do I do to get it?[/tweetthis]
Perhaps your wondering how staying can possibly bring you peace?
The ‘stay’ I’m speaking of, is a mental one.
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3
The goal is keeping our minds focused or steadied on God. God promises He will “keep him in perfect peace” those “whose mind is stayed” on Him. That might be worth staying for.
Practically, the place I go to steady myself – to keep my focus and perspective strong is God’s Word. I find as I know more of God, I am able to let go of my strivings to make my own peace or to try to make my world ‘right’. I need constant reminders, because ceasing doesn’t come natural to me.
“Cease striving and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10
What do you think of taking a pause? A sacred stop. A holy stay. And in that pause – in that quiet stillness – listen to what God speaks to you. It may bring some peace your way.
** Lord, Quiet my mind and my heart – help still me and stay me – so I can hear You and know You more.
Linking up with Holley’s CoffeeformyHeart, Lyli’s FaithonFire, Deb’s Faith’nFriends
Yours is the third post I’ve read today about being still, taking a rest and bringing thoughts back to Christ! I think God is telling me to slow down a bit. I do cherish my quiet times with Him.
Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #FaithonFire.
Gayle, Sounds like I’ve hit a ‘trending’ topic this week. It’s always on my heart – the idea of letting God be sovereign over all, and it find Him most as I quiet myself. May God fill your heart this day.