Thursday, September 9, 2010

be still, part one

First of all, I'm so excited that some of you have decided to join the 24over24 challenge.  It's not too late...join us!

When I won credit to Lisa Leonard Designs, I thought I'd have a hard time choosing.  And at first I certainly did...cause I have many MANY, favorites.  But once I thought about it, I knew exactly which one I had to choose.

Be Still
It's the Be Still necklace.  I knew because God has been teaching me to be still in so many ways lately.  Because He knows me.  And He knows I want to be anything but still.  I want to be fixing.  I want to be leading.  I want to be helping.  I want to be planning, researching, discussing, solving.

back of necklace
For my hubby (and therefore, for me too) this has been a hard summer.  There have been challenges that no matter how hard we try, we can't conquer.  They are beyond us.  Stress, frustration and discouragement have been regular visitors to our home.  Hopelessness and fear have even stopped by a few times.  These are not the houseguests we wanted.

In the midst of one tough week, God had me read the account of the Israelites being led out of Egypt.  As they came upon the Red Sea, with the Egyptians on their tails...things looked pretty hopeless.  There was no way out.  I'm sure they despaired.  But through the night, God was blowing back the water.  I have to think they may not have been able to see it happening, so the despair continued while God was already making a way.

I have never been trapped against a sea with an army pursuing me--but I have felt the despair and defeat they must have felt.  I have wondered why God wasn't answering my prayers.  I have felt stupid for having hope.  Yet God was working, even when I couldn't see it.  He was making a way--even if it wasn't a way I would have ever considered.

Do you know what God had Moses tell the Israelites while they despaired on the shore of the sea?  He said, "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." (Ex. 14:14)

But how?  Be still.  Can I help?  Be still.  Should I make a plan?  Be still.  What if?  Be still.

I don't know what Red Sea you are up against, or the army that might be pursuing you, but I know this...

The Lord will fight for you.

Be still.

Learn with me, bloggies.

7 comments:

Lara G Williams said...

Hi friend. Great, great post. "Be still." Wow, I needed that this morning. Things so quickly cross our path that tempt us towards disbelieving God's promises. But He is faithful. He is. Always. Praying you continue to be blessed in Him.

BTW, I love your new picture, pretty lady.

Karen said...

Dawn, sorry this has been a hard time for you. It does seem the easiest words are the hardest. I equate "be still" with trust and let go. Then do the thing that is in front of you with full confidence. Blessings**

Dawn said...

Your words spoke to my heart today. Be blessed!

Nikole Hahn said...

He said, "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." (Ex. 14:14)

So true. He still fights for us today. We just stopped trusting Him to fight for us because we think we have a better plan. :o)

Diane said...

Beautiful lesson to learn and re-learn when we need to. Thanks for sharing! :O)

Anonymous said...

I read your post yesterday and wanted to comment on the 24/24 challenge, but for some reason I just couldn't do it. But today I felt so convicted I'm back again! I feel God pulling me to spend more time in His word and in prayer - so sign me up! I'm looking forward to it! :)

Michelle DeRusha said...

Oh Dawn, this is a good post for me to read right now. I am in the wilderness, feeling hopeless as a dear family member lives her last days. Thank you for this very important message this morning!

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