Winter is the perfect time to begin to act on this resolution, to begin, perhaps begin again, a new habit of being still. We sang a few weeks ago, the world in solemn stillness lay, and all is calm all is bright; both perfect descriptions of the quiet of winter, invitations to hush our too busy lives in reverence for His ever near presence.
Here are three ways to “Be still and know that I am God.”
Go for winter walks.
- Feel the hush of winter’s cold that sends most living things into hibernation, silencing the cacophony of summer’s sounds.
- Look up at the beauty of long limbs carrying hundreds of branches heavenward; each tree a maze of intricate patterns and shapes, cathedrals of wonder and worship.
- Recognize there the grandeur of the Creator. Be humbled by your small place in relation to Him. It is good to remember, “What is man that You are mindful of him” (Psalm 8:4).
- Be still in this place.
Set an alarm on your watch or phone and when it sounds,
- Breathe in His ever near Presence.
- Remember God’s faithfulness; as dependable as the clock regulated by the earth’s fixed yet constant movement, and as secure as the steadily revolving seasons. “While the earth remains…summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22).
- Be still in this moment.
Read for your soul.
- Feed on good books. Social media too often steals our peace, satisfaction, and rest.
- Choose wisely. My long distance friend, Allison Burr, wrote, “unusual amounts of output = dire need for recharging, which is most rapidly and rewardingly accomplished through books”. If you aren’t sure what to read, anything by C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, Madeleine L’Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, or other classic authors will enlarge your vocabulary, challenge your thinking and feed your soul. Or click here for a list of books we recommended last May.
- Be still in your heart.
“Help me Lord to make moments to be still, to order my life to receive winter’s treasures, to feed on You daily. Amen.”
Wondering if you could darken the font a little bit. It’s hard for my old eyes to read. Thanks
Hi! I’d like to share the name of a new (to me) author. Her plots are wonderful and creative, but her insights into people and relationships have really ministered to me! Her name is Katherine Reay. I haven’t read all her books, but the ones I have checked out at the library, I want to buy to have for myself and my family — so I can highlight insights and/or go back later and consider her thoughts. As a busy homeschooling mom with 7 kids, I’ve found audio books to be a wonderful way to snatch time to ‘read’ while cleaning, washing dishes, etc.
Blessings…
Tammy, I’m going to look her up! I’m a homeschool mama, too, and always need good reading for when I can “snatch” the time, too – thank you for sharing!
Thank you