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!