What Can We Learn from the Storms? Be Still…
Recently, I had a profound conversation with a precious mentor, Mrs. Ramona. Steps from the ocean, and with her flowers calling for her attention, she stopped to focus fully on our time together – never failing to offer her time and her wisdom. Her intuitive questions picked up from our last conversations, and I was finally able to share that I had come to understand the purpose of a long and arduous trial I had been enduring. The purpose was faith – heart faith, not head faith – which I had been full of. I shared that there have been a few times in my life when I have had to be broken – like a wild horse. It later occurred to me that in “the breaking”, there is a gift that comes in the quiet – in the utter exhaustion. That gift is stillness. A perfect description of this gift is found in the lyrics written by Hillary Scott:
“I believe that You are God alone
But sometimes I still try to take control
'Cause I get scared when I can't see the end
And all You want from me is to let go
I bring my praise before I bring my need
'Cause there's no fear You've not already seen
I rest my heart on all Your promises
'Cause I have seen and know Your faithfulness
You're parting waters
Making a way for me
You're moving mountains that I don't even see
You've answered my prayer before I even speak
All You need for me to be is still.”
This song and the scripture from which it was derived are both very sacred to the Wimpey family. Psalm 46:10 simply says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (KJV)
Were it not for this stillness, you see, I would not know this wonderful couple who have surrendered their lives to Christian service. They often share their testimony that God called them to their current ministry, where I am privileged to serve with them. It was immediately clear to them that they were supposed to step out on faith, because He was calling them to the ministry. Everywhere they turned, they have explained, they saw references to Psalm 46:10, “Be still”, and they just knew…
I am so thankful for the testimony of another Wimpey, Pastor Rickey’s older brother who, long ago, listened for a voice in the stillness. I love to hear the story about how he left church on a Sunday morning, filled with tension, compelled to share the gospel message with his younger brother and his wife, Marie. His obedience in the stillness resulted in Rickey coming to a saving knowledge of Christ and planted a seed for Marie that bore fruit later. Hallelujah.
In Mark 4, the Bible offers an account of a great storm that scared the disciples who were on the boat with Jesus. He was sleeping peacefully, while they were frightened that they would perish. They awakened Jesus, questioning his care for their fate. As Jesus commanded, “Peace, be still”, he was rebuking more than the storm. He was admonishing them for their lack of faith in Him. As was written by Benton Stokes and Tony Wood:
“Sometimes He calms the storm; with a whispered, “Peace, be still.He can settle any sea, but it doesn’t mean He will.Sometimes He holds us close and lets the wind and waves go wild;Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child.”Why is that so hard for us to learn? Why did I have to be broken, to go through such a spiritual battle – when all I had to do was be still and give it all to Him? I have learned. My load will be forever lighter. I am thankful for this trial.
Blessings ~
Lisa