Despite my love of a good list, I am starting to see that those "To Do" lists are more busy-ness than constructive business. Lists in and of themselves aren't bad, I mean, if I go to the grocery store without a list (and 2 kids) I come home with half of what I actually need in twice the time, However, in my pursuit to follow God's recent command on my life to "Be Still and Know that I am God", I am starting to rethink the incessant list making; here's why:
As I was praying today (I am praying all of Psalm 46 every day for 30 days), I kept getting stuck on these lines: "3 Though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fail; God will help her at break of day"
I wasn't sure exactly what to make of that, so I looked it up in the Cambridge Commentary and this is what they came up with:
In contrast to the tumultuous sea threatening to engulf the solid mountain, is the river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God. The gently flowing river, fertilising all the land over which it is distributed in channels and rivulets, is an emblem of God's Presence, blessing and gladdening His city. Abundant irrigation is indispensable in Palestine. Cp. Psalm 1:3; Isaiah 30:25. The figure reminds us of Isaiah 8:6, where “the waters of Shiloah that go softly” are the emblem of the Divine government, and “the waters of the River great and many” are the emblem of the power of Assyria; and again of Isaiah 33:21, where God is compared to a mighty river encircling and protecting His city.*
I prayed over that explanation, b/c it seemed more geographical than applicably theological when I first read it. After chewing on it for a while, I realized that I live on that quaking mountain, next to that roaring sea-Kids, Husband, Chores, the list goes on and on. In my life it often seems all of those things are always roaring (complaining and whining) and foaming (kids just always seem to be gross and make endless messes) and surging (demanding parts of me that I am already too exhausted to give). Or at least, that's how the enemy wants it seem so I stay busy trying to satisfy everyone with no real success....
BUT, here's the amazingly encouraging miracle that comes from this:"4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the most high dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fail; God will help her at break of day"
I tricked you and just repeated the verses again, but when I REALLY read them, this is what I hear from God: Come and Dwell in the place of calm with the Most High. Come, enjoy the City of God and when you do that, you will truly KNOW Him, and You WILL NOT FAIL. YOU WILL NOT FAIL......When I am STILL where the Most High Dwells, He will help me and I WILL NOT FAIL.
What an awesome promise that My God allows me to Be Still in His presence, but even more-He helps me, AND when He does, I will not fail....
So, how does all this come back around to those "To Do" lists? Well, when I make a list, my goal is to busily check everything off so I can feel satisfied. BUT, that never really happens, the list is NEVER done and so I just end up empty, cranky, and frustrated. I am an expert at being busy, but not really accomplishing anything.
I am not being STILL in God's presence and allowing Him to be the one who makes me glad, helps me out, and guarantees my success. When I make those lists, I am patting myself on the back for all that I could do. So, no more lists, simply Stillness in the Presence of the Most High God who will fill me with gladness, help me, and not allow me to fail.
Here again, is the 46th Psalm, I am praying this everyday for the next 29 days, asking God to show me how to simply "Be Still and Know that I am God"
I have also decided I am going to memorize the whole thing. I used to do this a lot when I was younger and I find that God speaks to me most clearly when I'm working to memorize His letter to me!
PSALM 46 (NIV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. "Selah"
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. "Selah"
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. "Selah"
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