Just Be Still

Just Be StillAqualyn Toi Jones I like to think that I'm an extrovert with introvert tendencies. I sometimes prefer noise to silence and company to solitude. That just seems to be my personality. Hidden behind all this extroversion is this truth: Sometimes I don't like to be alone. I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one.When I am alone - no music, television, cell phone, or other distraction - I have no other choice than to face myself. And let's face it, that's not always easy or pleasurable.I think we need a better understanding of why time alone with God is so vital. If you were to follow Jesus' life for a few days in the gospels, you would see an undeniable pattern. He spent a lot of time with the multitudes, the cynics, and the disciples. No wonder he needed time alone with God. Why should it be any different with us?Do you remember being told to "be still" as a child?Sit right here and don't move.Stop running.Don't jump on the furniture.Slow down.Just, be still. As kids, we had endless energy. We woke up to play and run. We sought something new every single day. So, the command to "be still" undoubtedly came at the worst possible times. It interrupted our fun, tamed our adventures, and brought us back to reality. Nowadays, energy isn't so endless. Today, we often wake up to pain, illness, or uncertainty. The search for something new is drowned out by the monotony of life (school, work, or home). Even when we're not working, we're preoccupied. You know the saying, "If it ain't one thing, it's another."So, "being still" is seen as an interruption instead of an invitation. Yet, we are encouraged throughout Scripture to spend time alone with God. Moses did it. The prophets of old did it. Jesus did it. Seems pretty clear that we should do it. But, how can I do that, let alone enjoy it, if I don't even like to be with myself? Time alone with yourself is like a mirror into your soul. The memories of the past rush in; followed by regret, guilt, and shame. Or maybe the things that worry you begin to take precedence. By the time you sort through all of you there isn't much energy (or desire) to remain there or to seek God. Time alone with God has a purpose. It is a mirror into how God sees you. It is there that we are forgiven, refreshed, restored, and renewed. There we are healed, encouraged, and even reprimanded. Beauty is given for ashes and strength for weakness. Hebrews 4:14-15 reminds us that "...we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in the time of need." As children, we had no other choice when we were told to be still. Now, let us choose to be still because we prefer time with Him over all of our distractions. And simply, because life has a way of giving us no other choice.