Be Present: Spoken Word by Barabara Quaye

There is this war that is raging, 

raging within me.

The war against myself.

How I, 

how I often think too much about the future,

and what’s to happen,

that I forget about now.

I forget about what’s going on.

To see the sunset before me.

To see the joy of a new life.

How often do I look to myself to provide for the future.

To see what I can do next.

But you are there God.

You are there.

You are here.

You said you would be with me,

that you would guide me

and that you want to order my steps

and lead me to where I need to be.

I worry so much,

I worry about everything

but you told us to consider the lilies of the valley.

And consider the birds of the air.

When I hear these words of yours,

my soul longs for you.

I know one day in your courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere.

One day.

One day far away?

One day to come,

or now?

You said the kingdom of heaven

is now in our midst.

Salvation is here today.

But will I miss it?

Do I see it?

There is all this striving within my soul Lord,

that I don’t even know if I can stop.

You are the peace Lord

and you call me to be present.

You call me to be here and now

and to breathe

and feel your love

and warmth.

To just see your beauty.

How blessed is he

whose strength is in you

that stops worrying about everything

and comes to you with arms open.

Fully aware,

just taking in every moment with You.

Every second,

every breath.

Lord our God, you sit on the throne

but I do not see sometimes.

I’m so busy driving on this road of life

and I just want to get

to the next spot.

You told us sufficient, enough

is today’s troubles.

You said do not worry about tomorrow

but think about today.

Now.

Be present, be in the moment,

be here.

Really truly be here.

Not just think about being here,

not just consider being here

but be here.

Be now.

Emmanuel,

God is with us.

Not God was with us

not God is going to be with us

but Emmanuel is here with us.

Where are you

and do you hear Him speak?

He says, cease striving

and know that I am God.

I am here with you

and we can be present together.

Spoken word devotional by Barbara Quaye of Younger Generation Church.  Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.

Be Present: Worn Out by Worry

“Worry is interest paid on trouble before it falls due.” –William R. Inge

When Matthew 6:25 [GW] shares, “So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes?” the Bible passage doesn’t feel completely applicable to me.  Sure, there have been times where it’s felt very tight between paychecks, but I’ve not had to be concerned about our next meal or clothing our children, and I’m grateful to GOD for His provisions. 

But still, I worry. . . daily. 

I worry about what others will think of my actions.  I fret about the future.   I worry, “how my decisions will affect my children?” I get perplexed if feelings get hurt.  I worry, “Am I a good Mom?”  I’m distressed if things don’t work out just so.  I worry that my Dad won’t approve.  And the list goes on and on.  Verse 27 continues, “Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?”  If worry could extend your life, I might live hundreds of years more than most, but what a toll all that distress would take.

It’s exhausting!

[deep breath]

“Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.” –Psalm 46:10 [TNIV]

The Common English Bible paraphrase of this verse speaks to me.  It’s as if GOD is saying, “Darla, that’s enough! Now, know that I am God.”  [Psalm 46:10a, CEB (personalization added)]

For all my worry, driven by a hell-bent compulsion to people please, I was failing in my attempts to get approval from GOD; Incessantly, restlessly, I would get bedeviled by the details, feeling tormented by my misguided concerns.

“Let go of your concerns!
    Then you will know that I am God.
        I rule the nations.
        I rule the earth.” –Psalms 46:10 [GW]

It seems as if GOD is saying, “Let me be God. Rest in my love and let me take care of you.”

Yes, He rules the world, the universe, and everything, yet He also knows my greatest desires. Only GOD will give us a lasting peace in our hearts. 

“Stop worrying.”

“Let go.”

“Be still.”

“Know that I am GOD.

Encounter Prayer:

GOD, I’m exhausted. Thanks for patiently listening to my worries, offering me relief and comfort. Thank you dear Jesus for the peace and rest only You can provide.  Help me be still. Amen.

Encounter Questions:

• Being candid, what do you worry about?
• What would it be like to “let go?”
• How might you build your confidence in GOD’s ability to take care you?

 Devotional contributed by Darla Lauterbach Kendrick Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.

Be Present: Be Still by Marland May

Be Still! I’ve said it a thousand times, and heard it ten thousands times over, maybe you have too. To the restless teenagers kicking the back of your seat on the airplane, to the fidgety toddler in the pew next to you at church, to the nervous college student before a presentation, to anxious father before his baby is born. How hard is it to be still while the world swirls around you.

Be Still…

--Psalms 46:10a [NIV]

Why does GOD ask us to freeze? Perhaps because you have been fighting for yourself, by yourself too long. Maybe you have exceeded the recommended heart rate max for Christian anxiety, and GOD is pleading with you to slow the pace.  Danger might be lurking around the corner and only stillness will allow you to escape death.

The context of Psalm 46, Israel had been engaged in a long battle with their arch-nemesis, the Assyrians.  Their evil warlord, Sennacherib, had plundered nations all around Israel. When he laid siege to Jerusalem it was physically, mental, and spiritually warfare. He would yell from outside the city not to trust in GOD.

“The only salvation you have is to come out and surrender to me,” Sennacherib would yell. 

Once the food and water rations started to dwindle and paranoia crept up their spine, where did their trust go?  Where would yours have gone?

Maybe you don’t have to wonder because you already know. It’s quite possible that you have already encountered your modern day Sennacherib and his Assyrians. They have taken out the communication towers, and you’ve been left feeling helpless and alone. The “mayday” has been going out, but help hasn’t come yet.   

When Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation, felt out numbered and alone, he wrote the song “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” using Psalm 46 as his inspiration.  It’s not till verse 10 where everything beings to make sense.

Israel, Martin Luther, you and me, we all have our Sennacherib’s outside of our fortress yelling for us to give up or give in. The circumstances appear impossible to overcome, we are in a checkmate and we can feel as if the end is in sight. 

We want to run, but GOD says, “be still.”

We want to give up, but GOD says, “be still.” 

We want to quit, but GOD says, “be still.”

Our human response is “fight or flight,” however may I suggest a third option. When a person is walking through the wilderness and cross paths with wild life, whether it’s a snake, tiger, or bear, the best option they have of survival is stillness. Anxiety beckons us to flee.  Fear enflames us to fight. GOD admonishes us to be still.

In the stillness you know GOD. How do I know? The enemy is still outside the city.  The animal has not yet attacked. GOD’s fortress has not been breached!

Israel’s response to Sennacherib was, silence. Be still! When you let go of becoming your own savior, GOD obliterates the enemy. Stillness affords knowledge, clarity, and spiritual sight. Instead of seeing the impossible around us, our eyes are opened to witness GOD in our midst. Although under siege we can confide in GOD and find confidence. He allows us to exhale in peace because we know that we are protected by His love, His strong and mighty hand. Our stillness exalts GOD, expressing our complete reliance in His power and protection.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

--Psalm 46:10-11 [NIV]

May you experience the might of our Lord in the stillness.  May you rely on Him no matter what troubles attempt to take siege of your life today. Be still and encounter GOD.

Encounter Prayer:

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging. Amen.

--Psalm 46:1-3 [NIV]

Encounter:

• What problems, issues, or worries threaten to take siege of my life today?
• What has been my typical, human response in the past?
• How might I enact GOD’s call to stillness in the midst of today’s situation?

Devotional contributed by Marland May of Younger Generation Church.  Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.