Doing Nothing & Being Still

To my readers,

Labor Day was this past Monday.

It is one of my favorite holidays. This isn’t because I get a day off from work.  This isn’t because I get out of class for the day.  This isn’t because I have a three day weekend.  It isn’t because I can barbeque steaks and ribs in my backyard.

It’s one of my favorite holidays because I can take a day to do absolutely nothing.

If I want to catch up on homework, I can.  If I want to go for a hike, I can. Or I can sit at home and accomplish nothing for the entire day.

That was my plans this past Monday.  Nothing.  Get some well-needed R&R and possibly get ahead on homework.

The day went as planned.  The strange part of the day is that I felt even more restless than when the day had started. I was exhausted, drained, and emotionally empty. I felt as though I needed a holiday from this holiday.

I was so confused.  What could I have done wrong?

I started to talk out loud to myself saying, “What’s up with this? Here I am doing nothing and just enjoying the day when all I want is the rest that comes from being still!”

I caught myself.  I couldn’t believe I hadn’t realized this sooner.

There is a song in the Old Testament that reads,

“Be still, and know that I am God! 
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10, NLT.

I think we can agree that there is a massive difference between doing nothing andbeing still.

Doing nothing accomplishes exactly that: nothing.

Being still is completely different.  Being still is being calm when you want to scream. Being still means listening to the still quiet voice instead of the noise of the world.Being still means not fighting the desires that tear you away from Jesus.  Being still means giving up your selfish desires in order to listen to Jesus, who loves you and always has your best interest at heart.

This isn’t easy.

If it were, we all would be doing this.  But it’s a spiritual discipline therefore it requires times and constant diligence, initiative, and perseverance.

Even though you may believe you are giving up so much in order to better this discipline, you will gain something so much more valuable than anything this world has to offer.

A deeper relationship with Jesus.

What is keeping you from changing from doing nothing to being still?

Simply,
Tex G.M. Rule
“Be still, and know that I am God! 
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10, NLT.