Be Still.

Be still.  If you know me, then you probably know that I am not one who does that very well.  I like being productive and I'm always thinking of something.  I like to be moving or talking or doing something all the time.  This can be a great thing when I do need to check things off the list or when I have a busy schedule, but you can only imagine how convicting this was:

"Whatever your personality, it is a spiritual discipline to be still, to listen, and to cut out the distraction and din of our world.  And as we practice this stillness, this waiting, this being, it is then that we can experience deep intimacy and relationship with the Holy Spirit."  (from Forgotten God, by Francis Chan)

I've been reading through this book with my small group of six high school sophomores this year, and we were all really struck by this particular challenge to be still.  They shared how difficult it is to find a quiet place to be alone when living in a dorm with 20 other girls.  They expressed their frustration with trying to make time for God in the midst of an overwhelming amount of schoolwork and demanding extracurricular activities.  And so I decided to create an environment that would help us all spend time being still...

"We are not called to fear what following the Way of Jesus may require of us, but that desn't mean those fears won't crop up.  A life of following Christ requires relinquishing those fears when they do come... Are you willing to pursue truth in your journey to know and be known by the Holy Spirit?"  

--Forgotten God

"Without the Holy Spirit, people operate in their own strength and only accomplish human-size results.  The world is not moved by love or actions that are of human creation.  And the church is not empowered to live differently from any other gathering of people without the Holy Spirit.  But when believers live in the power of the Spirit, the evidence in their lives is supernatural.  The church cannot help but be different, and the world cannot help but notice." -- Forgotten God

"How much do you love the church?  How much do you care?  The Holy Spirit has given you a supernatural ability to serve the people God has placed around you.  If God cares enough about His church to give you this Spirit-empowered ability, shouldn't you care enough about the church to use that gift for the same purpose?"  -- Forgotten God

After we had about 45 minutes to work through the five prayer stations and just spend some time alone with God, we shared, prayed, and listened to the song "Here" from Kari Jobe's new album.  As you read these words, I hope that you will take the time to rest and really be still in His presence.

"Come and rest here, come and lay your burdens down
Come and rest here, there is refuge for you now
You'll find His peace
And know you're not alone anymore
He is near
You'll find His healing
Your heart isn't shattered anymore
He is here"