Circle of Grace

A command and not an option, if you want to successfully navigate your life.

Recently something happened to me that disrupted my life in a way that made me angry.  I had plans, exciting plans and they had to come to a screeching halt because there was no way around the disruptor.  I was very unhappy, and angry with God as well, because He had allowed this to happen to me.  Afterall, I was on a mission for Him, and He should have circumvented this unwanted intrusion. “Hands over eyes emoji”.

As I reflect now, I am reminded that shortly before this STOP sign, there were other signs along the way.  It was the same signal, but it manifested in different ways.  The signal read, ‘Be Still’. It started when a brother of mines, Edward Amponsah, miles away, released a song entitled, ‘Be Still’.  Then I was watching the home-going celebration of a past student of mines, and one of the readings was taken from Psalm 46.  That’s when I began to suspect that something was going on that I needed to pay attention to.  But I still didn’t put much weight on the message

Later, I picked up my phone and realized that I had gotten a notification of a Live YouTube broadcast by Russell Walden, a man of God whose ministry I respect.  I decided to listen – (you can begin listening from 4:19 mins if you wish). His main scripture was taken from Psalm 119:114 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word”.  As he shared his thoughts, he began to say that sometimes God is trying to hide us for a season, but we are sending up flares to let everyone know where we are.  That it’s okay to not always be in the limelight.  That’s all I needed to hear to convince me that God was talking to me.  I didn’t like it, but I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

 All of this was happening within the space of a couple of days.  Well to add icing to the cake, with a cake-topper marked ‘Be Still’, God made sure that I didn’t go to the church that Sunday Morning.  I stayed home and tuned in to my Boston church family’s Facebook page (Shekinah Glory International Ministries – from 19:00 mins).  Prophetess Hannah began singing… that’s right, ‘Be Still’ which segued into ‘Oceans’, two songs which I recorded, and you can listen to by clicking the links.   At that point I began to sing with the team and the rest is history.  Suffice it to say, I proceeded to hide, rest and Be Still. 

Be Still.  I believe that translates to mean different things for different people.  The variables attached to this command would be times and seasons.  According to where you are and what you are doing, you will know what you need to do to Be Still.   

For me it meant to unplug from social media and be quiet; minimize the amount of time I spent communicating with others on WhatsApp; and not letting anything from the outside penetrate my soul.  I needed to rest.  I needed to cease from striving for myself and others.  It meant that I wouldn’t be able to immediately share my thoughts and feelings with family and friends.  But that was okay.  I understood the assignment.

Sometimes we feel that if we stop the whole world will collapse around us.  But soon enough we find out that what we have to offer is only important when it’s released in the season that God has ordained for us to share it in.  Otherwise, we need to be quiet.

So, what does ‘Be Still’ look like for you?

• Maybe you need to hold your speech for a while
• Maybe you need to withdraw your company – cut back on your social interactions
• Maybe you need to deactivate your social media pages for a while
• Maybe you need to take a vacation away from the familiar and/or soul-searing situations
• Maybe it’s time to listen to the angry timber in your voice that makes your family and friends scurry for cover
• Maybe it’s time to pay attention to the nagging tension in your neck, the frequent occurrences of throbbing headaches, and the incessant screaming of the pain in your lower back
• Maybe it’s time to listen to the still, small voice of the One who loves you beyond words and wants the best for you.

Finish this sentence.  ‘Be Still’ for me means that I…

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As I pen my thoughts, I am in the season of ‘Be Still’ but it does not mean that I stop thinking or writing.  It means that I quiet my mind (soul) and all the external noises, so that I am better able to hear what my Father wants to say to me in this season; so that I can be more efficient and effective in the next.

It means that I will realize new growth and fresh perspective to fully embrace the new season when it comes.  It means that in being still I will focus on getting to know the one that has called, chosen, and commissioned me for such a time as this.

Consequently, to keep this in context, I’ll like to quote the entire clause. It says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). So, in my case, I’m not just being still for being still sake. In my Being Still, my time will be spent in communion with my El Shaddai, developing my relationship with Him as we become one, sitting at His feet, meditating on His every Word, and receiving instructions for the way forward.

As I read the verse again, I realize that it is a command.  Since God is the one who gave it, there is obviously nothing wrong with Being Still, but there is everything wrong with not knowing when it’s time to Be Still.  Six of one, half a dozen of the other.  You have a choice to make.  Be Still or you will be made to Be Still.  I chose the former.  Which will you choose?