Let us be silent,
that we may hear the whisper of God. Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I think of being busy, the
whole Mary and Martha analogy tends to come to mind. Mary, the one who listens
to Jesus and does what is better and Martha, the one who is doing everything
else except listen to him (Luke 10:38-42). Martha is frustrated because Mary is not helping her in
preparations. I am sure all the household chores were in need of doing -
chopping and pouring and folding and sautéing and Mary is just listening. This
situation is one of busyness born out of necessitates and duty.
Busyness is defined in my
concordance as: engaged in action, being in use; full of activity, full of
distracting detail.
Busyness is easy to achieve and
being too busy for God is even easier. Being
too busy doing the things that God has called you to do. Or even being too busy celebrating the blessings
and promises he has given to you, that you miss him whisper, you're
welcome. This is another sort of busyness, more like one born out of basking
in God's blessings in celebration.
In Joshua 3, the Israelites are
in all sorts of excitement. After wandering in the desert for forty years, they
are now about to enter into the Promised Land. Forty years of dust and sand and
manna and now they are about to welcome the land flowing of milk and honey with
open arms. There are still things to take care of but the physical land is
near. Excitement is building and anticipation is beyond bursting. With all this
energy flowing, Joshua takes time to stop and listen to what God has to say in
all of this. God tells Joshua that he will exalt him in the eyes of Israelites,
so they will know God is with him as he was with Moses. Joshua is obedient to
listen to God and tells the people:
Come here and listen to the words of the LORD
your God. Joshua 3:9
In all of the enthusiasm of the
new path they were journeying on, it could have been easy for Joshua to not be
listening for God's guidance. Joshua could have been so happy that he was about to lead the Israelites in to land that he works out his own accord and rushes the land, finding some means to cross over the water
ahead, which was at flood level. But this is not how Joshua operates. He takes the time to see what else God has
in store for them. He seeks God, listens, and obeys. They cross the water on dry ground, witnessing yet another
miracle. Adding another piece to their testimony and God's faithfulness. And
Joshua is blessed by it.
A Little Longer by Jenn Johnson, really reinforces the idea
of being still for God. Not doing for God, whether in duty or celebration. Just
listening and focusing on him. Have a listen.
You don't have to do a thing. Just
simply be with me and let those things
go. Cause they can wait another minute.
If you are coming out of a season
of trials and celebration is on your horizon, I pray that you would not miss
God in the victory. If God has given you the long awaited child or the much
dreamed of job has come to fruition or your health status has been cleared or
you have the passport to travel the world, whatever your time of celebration
is, I pray that God will continue to be the foremost thought in your mind. That
you would take time to listen and wait and be still. That in your excitement
you would praise God for all that he is doing.
Praying that you would pour out your blessings on others and they would see a glimpse of him in you. That your testimony would grow and that you would draw nearer to him. Praying that you would truly hear from him. He has something to tell you, you need only to be still to hear it.
Praying that you would pour out your blessings on others and they would see a glimpse of him in you. That your testimony would grow and that you would draw nearer to him. Praying that you would truly hear from him. He has something to tell you, you need only to be still to hear it.
Here's to open ears and open hearts
and quiet hands and quiet feet.