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“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
It started as typical morning, like many before and many after. We had just gotten back from the gym, I had made our eggs, and we went out on the deck to cool down and eat. My husband eats so fast and was finished long before I was, so he was already off to work, and I was just finishing. I sat, dog in my lap, computer on the table, looking out over the water not really thinking about anything, and yet, everything at the same time – truth be told, I was still sitting because I was a little sore from my morning workout and not quite ready to move – when I heard it. – thrummm, thrummm, thrummm – –
It was the distinct sound of a hummingbirds wings. I began looking around to see where it was at. I quickly grabbed my iPhone hoping to be lucky enough to get a picture. Then, the sound was gone.
I just love hummingbirds, but they usually don’t stick around long enough for me to snap a picture, or be close to them. I usually get to watch them through the windows as they come to feed on my plants.
Then I heard in my heart – “Be still…..”
“Ok God, I will be still, but why?”
I heard it again, “Be still…..”
So the dog and I sat; we waited, we watched, and we were still. All the while Psalm 46:10 running through my head.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
I had a running dialogue going on in my mind with God, “God, I know you’ve asked me to be still, and I am being still, but being still is hard sometimes. Is there something You……”
Then I heard it again…. thrummm, thrummm, thrummm – – my thoughts were interrupted. I still had the dog in my lap and IPhone in my hand. I could hear the hummingbird, and sort of see it. It was on the other side of the deck railing, but it was slowly making its way to the top of the planter as I sat still.
Miracle of miracles, the dog sat still too. He didn’t move, I didn’t move, well except to click the button on my phone camera, and I sat in utter amazement as I watch the hummingbird feed on flowers not more than 8 feet away from me.
It was wonderful.
It was marvelous.
It was miraculous.
I got a close up, front seat view of God’s creation in all its beauty right in front of me. (Some amazing pictures too – and using my IPhone no less)
I’m not sure if it was me or the dog who moved and scared the little guy away, but I was delighted. I immediately posted to Facebook and Instagram one of the pictures I had snapped. Then, I was ready to go on with my day.
Then a few days later, I again heard, “Be still…..”
I don’t know about you, but sitting still, being quiet, is hard, unless of course I have a book in my hand. Even waiting on the Lord is difficult. I am a doer, not a “be”-er. (yes I just made my own word 🙂 ) I am much more comfortable doing things than I am at just being.
Several years ago, my husband and I took a seminar called Focus Living. It was all about clarifying your personal purpose, vision, and calling. One particular exercise involved writing a purpose statement that couldn’t have anything to do with “Doing” things for God; rather, it needed to be about what He was asking us to BE – two very different things.
Have you ever noticed that we have been conditioned to always be “Do-ing” something? Our society is a go, go, go driven environment. Our calendars and pdas are filled day in and day out with the hustle and bustle of life. We are surrounded constantly by noise, activities, and demands for our time. Peace and quiet is a rarity in our daily lives.
There used to be days not that long ago, when my alarm clock would sound, and I finally stop hitting the snooze alarm, because I would be late if I don’t get out of bed. My feet hit the floor running, and they usually didn’t stop until I fell into bed at night.
What would you do if the Lord asked you to do nothing, except sit at His feet? “Be – not Do”.
Luke 10:34-42 tells us about two sisters, Mary and Martha. One sat at Jesus’ feet just “Be-ing” in His presence and soaking up all He said and did. The other sister was busy “Do-ing”.
The scriptures say, “Martha was distracted by all the preparations…” (Luke 10:40).
Do you ever find yourself distracted by all the responsibilities and things we fill our time with? I sure do. True confession: it is the hardest thing for me to just sit and be with the Lord, to sit and not “Do” anything at all but be with Him, read His word, worship Him, pray or ponder in silence who He is for me! I am more comfortable spending time with Him while I DO things.
The Lord challenged me years ago, that it isn’t the things I do for Him or the accomplishments in ministry that are important, it’s that I just “Be” with Him. To be honest, this requires a great sacrifice and discipline on my part. With the demands of running a ministry, being a pastor, a wife, a mother and all the duties and responsibilities that just don’t disappear I often have to make a concentrated effort to “sit” and “Be” at His feet. Sometimes, I have to sacrifice sleep and sit with Him in the wee hours of the morning (not my best time of the day), or skip an evening of TV watching.
Please, don’t think I’ve got it all worked out. I am simply a human being doing the best I can to respond to God’s challenge. The challenge was sparked from an email that crossed my path years ago. The subject line was: Would I be enough for you? Upon reading it, I was intrigued by this young man’s experience with the Lord. He was second in command of a major ministry and God asked him, if there were no more meetings, no activity, no visibility, if everything you think of as normal ceased, would I be enough for you? The Lord told this young man, that all he would have was Him and Him alone, he would get His manifest presence, but would it be enough?
Tweet ThisOf course, the young man knew the right answer but took the time to contemplate what a “no” response would mean. This really struck a chord in my spirit as I pondered it for months until I had my own conversation with the Lord. During that conversation, He challenged me and asked me if I would invest in Him, so He could invest in me. Would I be willing to trust Him and wait to do things ministry wise He had already spoken to me about doing? Would I sit on the sidelines with Him for a season while He poured into me? He assured me I could move forward and all would be ok, but if I would just “Be” with Him and sit at His feet later would be great.
Of course my answer was “Yes, Lord”. I will forgo those things to “Be” with you. I’d like to say that it was easy, it wasn’t. I was, and still am, so used to the “Do-ing” part of ministry, being there for others, and accomplishing many things. That season from years ago is over, but I’m finding myself again in a similar place with the Lord. I’d like to tell you I’ve got the discipline down, but I don’t. I just do the best I can, but God always blesses me for the sacrifices I make as I sit at His feet.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
I have come to realize what Mary understood from the start. Enjoy your time with the Lord; invest in an intimate relationship with Him. As you develop your relationship with the Lord, He will become your greatest passion.
God is calling people who love and adore Him, who listen for Him to speak and then obey. As He becomes our ALL, we are then released to be ambassadors for Him. He will send us out to do His will and we will return to sit at His feet!
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Debbie, I loved the picture of that busy little hummingbird flitting this way and that but you had to be the one to sit and observe. That is such a hard thing for me to do, I needed the reminder.
Your words really hit me ; “As you develop your relationship with the Lord, He will become your greatest passion.
God is calling people who love and adore Him, who listen for Him to speak and then obey. As He becomes our ALL, we are then released to be ambassadors for Him. He will send us out to do His will and we will return to sit at His feet!” I want to be called and released! Thanks for sharing your heart, I am always so encouraged!
Jodi – I am so glad you found encouragement today in this post! And you are called and released! That’s the great thing about God – He takes that desire and our willingness ans says Yep, I can work with that!!” I am so excited for the doors that are being flung open for you as you step out to do the things God has called you to do! Blessings.
Being still in God’s presence takes constant discipline, but the results are comfort, joy, and peace. Thank you for the reminder and the beautiful pictures.
Debbie – you are so right, it does take constant discipline and it is SO worth the results. Thank you for that reminder as well. So glad you stopped by and that you enjoyed the pictures too 🙂 Blessings
This past year and a half has taught me to be still, it was my option. Being forced on bed rest, one can only watch so much tv, read so many books or scan social media for so long before they loose their appeal. I have come to cherish my early mornings of just resting and being with God. It has deepened my relationship with the Lord and has taught me that He is always so faithful to be there. In the darkness of night, He is there. As the sun rises, He is there. In the business of the mornings, He longs to spend time with me. In the coolness of the evening, He waits for me to come into His rest.
Jenni – aren’t you glad He is so faithful to always be there for us? Even in the midst of tough situations He is always there! Thank you for stopping by and sharing. Blessings
I enjoyed your post and photos. I’ve never seen such a small bird and love the spiritual lesson in your blog. God will lead us. By nature, by His Word. Let’s focus on Him.
May God bless you.
Ariella, thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. I am so glad you enjoyed the photo’s and the post. Yes, as we Focus on Him, He will lead us and show us spiritual lessons throughout our day. Blessings to you. 🙂
The last paragraph said it all beautifully. May we make time to spend with Him as the results are so worth it. Grateful to have stopped here from The Weekend Brew. I think this is my first time here so, “Nice to meet you!” Have a great weekend!
Joanne, yes, the results are so worth it!!! Thank you so much for stopping by for the first time! It is so great to meet you, hope to see you again soon. 🙂 Blessings
Beautiful photos of the hummingbird – what a treat to see one so up-close. That verse has been a focus one for me for much of this year and I love seeing how God continually speaks to me through it. Hard to be still in our culture, with so many demands on our time, but I treasure my still time with God.
Hi Kathryn! Yes, it was a treat – a special gift from God. You are so right, our culture does make it so hard to be still, and if we go against the norm and take the time God always rewards us. 🙂 I am so glad God is continuing to speak to you through this verse, it is packed with so many good things. Blessings and thank you for stopping by.
Ah, this is one of my wishes, to one day get a photo of a Hummingbird. Beautiful snapshots and beautiful account of your God Incident!
Thank you Lisa! It was a beautiful present from God to be able to view close-up. Thanks for stopping by and I pray you get to snap a picture of a hummingbird before the summer is over. 🙂 Blessings and thank you for stopping by.
Love the pictures, love the birds, love the flowers. [I ain’t a good reader any more, b/c of the dementia of my brain and my age stuff, but I still enjoy looking at the pieces that are shared. Thank you.]
Joanne – I am so sorry that you can’t read the post, but so glad you stopped by to gaze at the beauty God allowed me to capture with my camera. Many blessings and praying for you my new friend.
This is beautiful Debbie! I love how God did not give up on you when He was trying to get your attention. He knew exactly what you needed and sent that beautiful hummingbird as a reminder of His immense love for you. I am so blessed by these words and thankful that you shared this at The Weekend Brew.
Oh Mary, THANK YOU! Thank you for talking the time to stop by and visit and for encouraging me greatly today! God is so fantastic isn’t He. He doesn’t give up on us ever, and in the midst of everything, He often sends us special gifts like this hummingbird! Have a blessed and restful weekend.
What a beautiful capture. And I just love how God continued to speak to your heart, to be still, so you wouldn’t miss the blessing. I am so much of a Martha, even when I take time to be still, my mind is racing. Stillness is something I strive for all the time.
Barbie – Thank you for stopping by! I can totally relate to the mind racing, inn fact, all the time it seems with random things too. I am striving right there with you and cheering you on as well. Its so nice to know I am not alone in this. Blessings upon you. 🙂
Debbie- I love hummingbirds and I love how God used one to remind you to be still. I’m a do-er too and it’s hard to sit at God’s feet sometimes when I’m caught up in all of my doing. but it takes much humility to put our list aside and submit to Him. Thanks for the beautifully written reminder today. Great post!
Karen, thank you so much for stopping by today! You are most welcome for the post and you are so correct – much humility is required on our part – Thank goodness the Lord extends us do-ers lots and lots of grace in the process. Blessings upon you, hope you can stop by for a visit again. 🙂
I enjoyed this post so much!
I have only recent become a do’er not a “be’er”. {I LIKE that word}
I used to just “be”; I loved to just sit and think… but sadly that was before I came to know the Lord. Now it seems, even more so as I get older, I never sit still. And if I do, there is always something gnawing at me that I should do or I am too easily distracted, even in my quiet time with the Lord.
I was spurred on when you said that when we invest in the Lord, the Lord can invest in us.
Thank you for sharing encouragement from the Lord. 🙂
Welcome Karen! I am so glad you enjoyed the post and that you are spurred on. I too get distracted during my quiet times. Thank you so much for your encouragement over this post and sharing with me what it meant to you. I hope you will come back and visit again. Blessings 🙂
I love hummingbirds too- cool image. Thanks for linking up with the #RaRaLinkup via Purposeful Faith.
Thank you Katie 🙂
This is one of my family’s favorite pieces of scripture. I agree we are a society on the go all the time so it is a blessing to just sit still at times so we can hear. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday. Hope to see you link up again this Sunday 🙂
Kelly –
Thank you for stopping in to say HI! It is an honor to be able to share at your link-up. I will be back this Sunday for sure 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Blessings