The other day at Walmart the cashier sighed and moaned and said she couldn’t wait for all this to be over. “All this,” being the most wonderful time of the year, of course. I guess she didn’t get much mistle-toeing or peace on earth and joy to the world and goodwill toward men. I believed her, because it was loud and chaotic and worldly where she worked. And it reminded me of that thing God has been whispering to me the past several months.
Simply this: “Shhhh.”
My interpretation expands it: Quiet the noise, the pressures, the expectations. Quiet your heart, your body, your home. Still your worries and stop striving. I bought you a room, eternal rest, and I paid it with my life. Enter in and don’t be shy. Basically, “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
I am all about God being exalted among the heathen and in the earth; it’s what I live for and would love to die for. There is nothing else worth being about, in my opinion. But the thing that has been pressed so deeply into my soul this season is the first part about being still. Stillness first, knowing God, and then He does the rest.
The funny thing is, I could be wrestling the angel all night long or honing my weapons and yelling at the devil. I want to declare war and go march around that courthouse and exalt God already! But this is not how Jesus did it. He slipped away to connect with His Father and there, every battle was won.
I have been praying, praying and praying about going to the Supreme Court and wrestling that giant of abortion. You know that pregnancy insomnia and restlessness that is like nothing else, ever? I thought I would use it for something good, and pray hard during those times. God surprised me when He said one night, “You think you’re praying, but I see striving. Be still. I am exalted when you are still.”
It’s really so practical. I think of it this way: Take a nap in the middle of the storm, and you will see miracles. (Mark 4:38) Love your family more than you love your rules, and there will be healing. (Mark 3:1-6) Cherish the lonely places, and you will never be lonely. (Mark 1:35-17)
This Christmas, the first year I have even liked Christmas at all, I am celebrating peace on earth because I know there is peace in my heart and peace in my home. My striving is over, the pressures stop here, the bills have been paid. He managed it all. This is a silent, holy night because the baby in a manger grew up and cried, “It is finished!”