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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Sometimes I find it so hard to be still.
I suppose part of it has to do with the fact that we live in a culture that is so focused on “go” and “now.” Things that used to take time are now ready in an instant - instant oatmeal, instant potatoes, instant cocoa, and just about instant everything. Microwaves have made waiting a thing of the past – at least when it comes to food.
We have instant messenger, email, and cell phone – all serving to make communication almost instantaneous. In fact, when was the last time you sat down and hand wrote a letter to someone?
As I consider the frustration that often sets in when I’m forced to wait for something – like my doctor, or my food at the drive thru, or in line at the grocery store or worse – waiting in traffic – I wonder about those who came before me like those who lived 150 years ago and didn’t have these “luxuries” to “improve” their lives.
Did they complain because they had to wait for yeast to rise in order to make bread? Or what about how long it took to receive a letter from a family member who lived in another state? It may have taken days, possibly even weeks for communication to take place. There were no drive thrus, microwaves, telephones, and computers – so many of the modern day inventions we’ve seen in the last 75 years.
I wonder if being still was hard for them.
Probably not.
They probably understood being still more than any of us could ever imagine. They probably understood the fruits of the Spirit simply through necessity.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NASB
All the things we think are improving our lives have in many ways has served to complicate them. It’s so hard to find peace in the midst of this fast paced world. And patience? Who has patience any more? Ask almost anyone which fruit of the Spirit they struggle with the most… many will tell you it’s patience.
Several months ago I spent one full day on a listening retreat. At first, it was very hard for me. I found it challenging to quiet my mind and stop thinking about all the things I had on my “to-do” list.
But once I was able to shut all those things off… it was amazing how loudly I could hear God speak to me. Not in an audible voice or anything, but through His Word. As I read different scriptures, they leapt off the page. I had understanding of His Word that I could not explain.
It finally made sense to me… why God commands us to “be still.”
It is in the stillness that we can truly hear Him and clearly understand Him. It is in the stillness that we can find peace.
Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Psalm 4:4 NKJV
I still struggle to be still and yet when I do – I find strength in it. Perhaps that is because Jesus, the man who had the power to rebuke the wind and command the sea to be still… can calm me as well.
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39 NKJV
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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