Thursday, December 10, 2009

standing still


if you are uncomfortable with religious discussion, i just want to let you know the following contains religious discussion, but i promise it's not preachy and it may even make your day a little better. it did mine, so i'm sharing it with you.

we hear that phrase standing still and think it means not moving forward, not progressing. this morning i was flipping through my scriptures and had marked one with a sticky note. it's in the doctrine and covenants, which is a book of modern day revelation our church considers scripture along with the bible and the book of mormon. it's in section 5, verse 34. it says stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee. i have on my sticky note the sentence, "help shows up." there are footnotes in that scripture that directed me to the book of 1 samuel 9:27 in the old testament, where it says the following: samual said to saul, bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still awhile, that i may shew thee the word of God. it also references isaiah 30:15 which says for thus saith the Lord God of the Holy One of israel; in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quiteness and in confidence shall be your strength; and ye would not (emphasis added by me).

in verses 16 and 17 of the same chapter of isaiah it talks about how we will flee upon horses and it will be swiftly, but those that pursue us will be just as swift. it says the times will be volatile and unpredictable. but in verse 18 it says, and therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you…blessed are all they that wait for him.

what i learned from these scriptures is that we live in a crazy crazy time. i know in my house, it feels like we are ALWAYS going somewhere and it tends to get rather overwhelming. i am the kind of person who tries to find all the answers myself. you can find anything you need to know on google, like how to get wax out of your white carpet, yep, it really works. but try to find an answer on how to help someone you really love get through a stressful time in their life, well google falls short. but if we stop, stand still, listen, and wait to hear His counsels, we'll be alright. so i will do that because i don't want to be the one who misses out.

there now, was that preachy? i hope not. it's not intended to be so, i just found this a very good lesson to learn this morning.

10 comments:

ArlaMo said...

What a perfect post to read after an insanely busy week with my Young Women and my own children...and it's only Thursday. Thank you for the wonderful reminder, Emily!

Houston said...

It's a beautiful lesson. Love you.

MonicaMcNeill said...

Loving this. So timely for me as I ponder my one word for 2010 and what keeps coming to me is Be Still. Ok, it's technically two words but I think you know what I mean :)

tralina said...

My mom just broke her ankle and has basically had to cancel all of her Christmas plans--she's pretty bummed. I'd like to share this with her. Now would be a good time to "be still" and know that i am God.

Jen said...

Its funny how religion scares people off. I don't tend to be religous but I have faith. I posted a video on hope and faith on my FB account one day and not one comment.....zilch.

And your lesson is a good one, and one that descends all faiths.

Anonymous said...

I love this, Em. Last week my mother told me that "God is always on time" He is never early, He is never late. It is a good lesson to remember. Thank you for the reminder. Merry Christmas!!!

Jenny said...

long time blog stalker. your art is always inspiring. and now your words are too.

Joy Madison said...

Listen to him. He won't let you down for sure!!! Thanks for the reminder!

joanne (spagirl) said...

awesome! good reminder... and nice to *refocus* perspective... that standing still is not being stagnant. thanks em!!

Jennifer Barksdale said...

thanks for sharing!