Psalm 46:10a – Cease striving and know that I am GOD

We are very distractable creatures living in a very distracting world. Learning to be attentive to GOD in the same way HE is attentive to us takes great intention and mindfulness. Often, the busyness of our lives robs us of the ability to be attentive. Busyness is a mask that makes us feel like we are productive – like we are accomplishing much in this life we have been given. But it can be a deceptive tool the enemy uses to keep us from our real purpose.

One of the reasons we stay so busy is to avoid the negative thoughts that plague us. But those are the very thoughts where GOD wants to meet with us. Leaning into those thoughts – even the ones that scare us by making us angry, sad, or discouraged – gives us a chance to hear what GOD wants to do with them. HE longs for us to invite HIM into these places because HE has plans for even our most disturbing thoughts. When we take time to listen to our thoughts and invite our LORD to join us, HE brings us rest – HIS peace and calm. HE’s the only One Who can! And HE has a beautiful and mind-blowing reason for wanting us to include HIM:

Our main purpose – our chief end – our highest (and only) function is to be GOD’s perfect partner for all eternity! HE has a Divine wedding in mind!!

Relationship is the eternal goal! Togetherness is our highest purpose! Not to be married in this realm, but to be married in the eternal realm! To be the best friend for the MOST HIGH GOD Who created the heavens and the earth to be the environment to form HIS Bride! That’s you! HE is an attentive GOD – we want to learn to be an attentive bride.

When we fill our lives with activity and are known for being “productive”, we feel better about ourselves – but it does not necessarily help us feel better about GOD.

We check all the things off our lists and we feel so good about how much we accomplished…

“how much we accomplish” … does this give GOD the credit for what is accomplished? Are we giving HIM any of our attention while we are “accomplishing”? While we were being productive, were we giving GOD any pleasure by enjoying HIM?

Our LORD longs for us to be still in HIS Presence. In every moment of our day we can ask HIM to bring order to our chaos – give HIM a chance to pour out HIS grace and strength for our tasks. But instead, we bulldoze ahead with our to-do list and give ourselves a pat on the back for all that we accomplished – without HIM. Independence is rewarded with attention in this world. However, we were made for total and complete dependence on GOD and in the eternal world, there will be no reward for independence.

HIS gift of free-will allows us to try and live without HIM in this realm – this temporary world. No permanent damage is done as we test our independence in a temporal realm – there’s no eternal damage. HE does not scold us or condemn us for using the free gift HE gave us. HE gives us full liberty to do life our way and even get so distracted with our goals and dreams that we forget to remain close to HIM in conversation. There’s no punishment for excluding our LORD and not recognizing HIM in our routines and daily activities. But we were made to need HIM – made for relationship with HIM – and life will not run smoothly when we try to function outside of our blueprint.

Some may believe that we have “fallen from grace” when we rebel and live outside of GOD’s plan for us. We used to think that “falling from grace” disqualifies us from being HIS (or being included in GOD’s kingdom). If we are honest, it does separate us from HIM, but it does NOT disqualify us.

Try thinking of HIS grace as an umbrella covering us. There is no condemnation for running out from under the umbrella. HE gives us full freedom to do life our way and even get so distracted with our goals and dreams that we forget to remain close to HIM in conversation. HE does NOT scold us for using the freedom HE has generously given to us – nor does HE punish us for not including HIM and recognizing HIM in our routines and daily activities. But we were made for HIM – relationship with HIM, so life will not go very smoothly if we leave HIM out of it. We do expose ourselves to the rain, sleet, and hail when we leave HIS umbrella. All we have to do is run back under HIS covering of protection when the storms of this life overwhelm us. HE is always welcoming us. When we leave HIM out of our lives, eventually (and hopefully) our independence will wear itself out so that we finally conclude – we do not want to live without HIM.

i like to think that i am fulfilling HIS dream every time i come back to HIM – and i can’t wait for the day when the distractions of this life no longer distract me! The day i remain – stay close and never leave HIS conversation will be the day HIS Dream comes true. GOD will have HIS bride, and she will be as attentive to HIM as HE is to her! Be still and enjoy HIM – because HE really enjoys you!

Let’s make this the year that we cease striving and know that HE is GOD – HE is our Best Friend FOREVER!