Skip to main content

Standing still . . . in faith!


In order to stand still, you must be strong.   “Standing” requires strength.  Now sitting or lying down - that’s easy.  But standing isn’t.  And especially standing still.


It takes power and action to “stand”.  Standing is not wimpy.  Its firm.  And standing still requires me to go beyond what I normally do – it requires faith.   God’s Word tells us that we are to stand firm in the faith.  I Peter says


Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, STANDing firm in the faith.

Self-control?  Now THAT’s a hard one!  Alert, I can be alert maybe, but self-control?  

Websters defines “self-control” as “control of one’s feelings, desires or actions by one’s own will.”  (I hate when they use the word to define the word!)   So I looked up, “control” and Websters said “to exercise authority or influence over” or “direct”.  To sum up the definition then - authority over our feelings, desires or actions.  Our authority?  I don’t think so.  Let’s just say in my case, God’s authority over my feelings, desires  or actions.

So, I’m giving my authority to God and staying alert.  I’m resisting temptation.  I’m standing on faith.  Huh?  I need a word picture here to understand this.
 

Stepping out in faith as I try something I’ve never tried before (like writing this blog!)

Not talking about her (when I really really want to) but know its not right.

Hanging in there, sticking to it, even when it seems impossible.

Trusting.   Even when you have no idea what God’s Will is.

Showing up, when it’s the last thing you want to do.

Forgiving the unforgivable.  Loving the unlovable. 


Yep - “standing still” is more “God-doing” than “me-doing”.  I can try and try and wear myself out trying without success.  I can practice and do and try and manipulate all I want, but it ain’t gonna work.    Standing still seems to be (from the list above) an action word.  AND ITS NOT STAGNANT. 

To be able to stand still and not be stagnant is to rely on God. Its to go with HIS FLOW, follow HIS motions, not become stale or foul while He’s working.  That’s faith. 


Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. . . . By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  Hebrews 11 


Standing still takes faith.  And faith is a gift from God.  Pray for it, my friend.  Covet it.  Long for it.  It is God’s desire for you to stand still in faith.   My prayer is that we stand, and as we stand still, we stand in faith. 

                                    Faith in the One who WAS and IS and IS TO COME.


May our hearts see us standing still . . . . in faith!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

It all started before that.

As she talked, I sat there amazed.   Not at what she was saying, but at who she had become.   Confident.   Godly.   Faithful.    Respected.   It just hit me that she is now a leader in our church.    A true leader.   The next generation of leaders, in fact. But wait -- is this the same young woman who God brought into our lives a little over 10 years ago?   The anxious, nervous, only-just-started-going-to- church- wanting-to-please-everyone young woman my son introduced us to?   Watching her confidently taking her seat, I started thinking of those first days . . .   and seriously, my breath caught in my throat.   How amazing God is!   He molds, He holds.   He shapes and He grows.   And He does this over and over – and it still amazes me.   That got me to thinking.   God’s amazing work in my life didn’t start with my daughter-in-love.   It started before that.   It starte...

I prayed for toilet paper.

    I left for a LONG walk by myself recently while vacationing at my sister's place.   Armed with a bottle of water, it was a perfect morning to get away.  The sun was shining and the birds were singing - what could be better??   Having walked this path before, I didn't have a worry in the world. Praying, humming and taking in as much of God's creation as I could, all was good.   Well, until . .   My bladder was full and no bathroom was in sight.   I figured I was still about two miles away from the nearest bathroom.   What to do?   Two miles is a LONG WAY when you gotta go.   Some of you know EXACTLY what I mean.   Or maybe you don't have problems like this and if you did, you at least wouldn't tell anybody about it.   But the older I get, the more of a problem it is.   And the older I get, I know that EVERY event in life has a lesson.   Yes, even one like this   So I did what an...

The Joyces of My Life

Have you ever had someone in your life who truly showed joy, no matter the circumstance?  How about someone who has made a profound influence?  I can honestly say that I have had two, and they both have the name "Joyce" - hence, the title of this post - The Joyces of My Life. First of all, Joyce ( my stepmom) came into my life when she married my dad.  My life was pretty unstable with my mother, but we all made the best of it.  Once I graduated from high school, I moved in with Dad and Joyce. Life happened, I got married, had some kids, you know the drill.   When I think back, there's nothing specific I remember, except  her constant-ability.  She was always there for me.  Period.  When you meet someone who lets you into their heart, bears her own heart and soul, while introducing you to Jesus, your life changes.  At least mine did.  Her love for Jesus and scripture was evident and contagious.  I wanted in - all...