Be Still…Our Summer to Soak Finale
WE MADE IT!!!!!
Girls we made it to our last week of our Summer to Soak! I am so incredibly thankful for every one of you that took the challenge to spend your summer soaking in God’s Word. So many of you have shared with me that you’ve seen and experienced God in new ways, and that His Word has transformed you from the inside out. I love it when God takes a simple verse (maybe one we’ve known all our lives) and challenges our hearts in a fresh way to know Him more…to love Him more. God is SO faithful, always pursuing us, always drawing us with His incredible grace, power and love. I’m so humbled, so thankful!
And so as our summers begin to slowly turn the corner and we head into what is most likely a very busy fall season, my prayer is that this last week’s verse becomes our new anthem. My prayer is that these words become your thanks and your praise because your soul knows it well.
This last week’s truth is simple, yet maybe the most profound:
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
This one stops me in my tracks, every time.
God has had me here all summer. This has been His word to me over and over…He keeps bringing me back to this same message.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
I think it speaks so strongly to me because each phrase has such intentional meaning:
1. “Be still.” I believe God is referring here to a quieting of the soul. Sometimes this must be done physically. We must stop moving, we must get away to a quiet place and actually be still. In a world that is constantly moving, we must make space to stop and breathe in the realization that God is present. There are times in our day, however, that we can only do this mentally. There are times when life is moving, conversations are happening and emotions are flying. In those times, God’s word implores me to take a moment, quiet myself and listen to His truth: “be still”. It’s a quieting on the inside, even when the whole world is going loud and strong. “Be Still…”
2. “…and know.” When you know something, it sinks deep, doesn’t it? Think of the things you know, like the sound of your child’s voice, or the roar of the ocean. Those things that we know rest deep within us, and nothing can shake them. They are foundational. Be still and KNOW…let the knowledge of His presence in your life sink deep down.
3. “…that I am God.” Know that He is God. Your God. The great I Am. He was before time began and He is with you in your very breath right now. He will never leave you or forsake you, His love never fails. He is the strength and the very sustenance of your soul. He is bigger than any trial or problem or issue you face. He goes before you and completely has your back. He is your shield, your protector, your Light in the dark. That is your God, and He. is. I. Am.
Be still, and know that I am God.
When life doesn’t go according to your plan,
Be still and know that I am God.
In the middle of that really difficult conversation,
Be still and know that I am God.
When the schedule and the kids and the fur is flying,
Be still and know that I am God.
When you want to grab control of the situation,
Be still and know that I am God.
When the news is painful and you have no idea what to do,
Be still and know that I am God.
In the middle of that delay,
Be still and know that I am God.
When you see unexpected beauty that takes your breath away,
Be still and know that I am God.
When you hear the laughter of the one you love,
Be still and know that I am God.
When you are at peace and all is right in the world,
Be still and know that I am God.
Let your heart sink into this truth. Let it become the chorus of your day, let it be the rhythm of your breath. Slow down. Align your eyes to see His truth, that our God is present, reigning above every circumstance that is before you. Nothing is out of His sight, He knows what your soul needs and He is sufficient. Slow down. Hear His voice speaking in the midst of the noise…be still, and know that I am God.
Say it, over and over, as a whisper, as a prayer, until your heart knows it well.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Let it be your anthem, your prayer, your thanks and your praise. Our God is amazing.
Ladies…I cannot believe our time has come to an end…it has been such an incredible honor and joy to have spent this summer with you. Thank you for taking the time to sink into His Word, to soak in His Truth.
No matter what your season, no matter where God has brought you or is taking you, in closing I challenge you to this:
Seek Him – seek Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13-14),
Put your complete trust in His relentless love (1 John 4:16),
Do not fear, but stand strong in His power and love and strength of mind (2 Timothy 1:7),
Encourage those around you by your words (Ephesians 4:29),
Believe that His grace is enough (2 Corinthians 12:9),
and Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
Let’s be women who believe God with every fiber of our being, then live it out loud for His Glory!
Thank you for this wonderful summer/life time experience. I am so thankful to my friend who forwarded this blog to me and I hope the dozen plus ladies I forwarded it to were blessed as well. God bless you!!
Nancy, thank you so much for being a part! Thank you for your heart for Him, have a wonderful summer!
Thank you all for the soaking I received. So many good things are coming out of it.
Thank you for doing this Bible study online. I really enjoyed it and would love to see more online studies as it is too difficult for me to ‘go out’ to do them. This was just what I needed!
Thank you sooooooooo much for bringing this to me. I have taken time to ‘soak’ in His word, Praising Him, and just the quietness of His presence and it has been a wonderful time. I will continue to re read the notes I have taken from each week and the scriptures that have given me a new closeness with Our Lord. May God continue to speak to you in a way that Blesses all of us too.
Julie, do you plan to conduct a women’s Bible study at Foothills this fall? Thank You! Linda Sydnor
Hi Linda, We begin our Wednesday morning study September 4, Becky will be leading us through her book, The 30-Day Praise Challenge. It will be awesome and we’ll start signups this weekend!