Are You Waiting?
(reprinted from Under the Cover of Prayer)
Oh – to learn to slow down. A number of times in the past week I have read about “waiting”.
- My Advent study from Margaret Feinberg – first week – WAIT.
- A speaker at a women’s dinner said, “learn to unitask”.
- Tadeo – my turtle goes slowly – something I need to learn.
- Then I read Jesus Calling – “it is good to wait quietly” (Lamentations 3:26 NIV).
I took a deep breath. I sighed. Yes I do need to slow down or I will miss the waiting. This waiting for Christmas can be a Holy time if I let it.
I responded to Margaret’s words in Wonderstruck.
I particularly liked when she wrote about “Three Word Prayers”. I realized I needed to slow down my words to God. To release them ONE at a time.
Thank You God
Wonder. Power. Healing.
Search my soul.
Sense my being.
“Every word, every syllable, demanded mindfulness” (Wonderstruck, page 78).
“Three word prayers required me to reengage spiritual muscles that had long ago grown flabby” (Wonderstruck, page 80)”
Do I ramble at God like a nagging wife? Or do I slow it down and make each word count?
“Be still and know that I am God.”
That is what God said. Not chatter and beg – but be STILL.
So in this first week of Advent I have tried to be still. I have tried to seek the quietness that He wants. And you know what – it is good. I rested in Him.
The First Week of Advent
A time to wait
A time to listen to God
Still your hearts
Still your souls.
Slow down your thoughts
Focus on Him
Let distractions cease
[even for a few minutes]
Who is this God?
What is eternity?
“Be still
And know
I am God
Get to know Me.”
Breathe
God is LOVE
God knew you before you were born
God knows you now
God will know you forever!
Janis Cox 2012
“Modern man has lost the perspective of eternity. To distract himself form the gaping jaws of death, he engages in ceaseless activity and amusement” (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young).
Ceaseless activity VS Stillness in Him?
Which are you doing this Christmas?
I would love to hear from you.
Here is Chris Tomlin and Everlasting God (Wait Upon the Lord)
Yeah, just pre-ordered mine from Amazon.
Me too. They said they didn’t have any but will have them hopefully soon by Christmas.
Blessings,
Jan
Dear Janis
Your words hit close to home! This is so important …. to wait on our God. In my post “A God Who Waits”, I wrote about our Pappa God who waits for His children to come to Him, to wait on Him and to just be with Him. Thank you for this thoughtful post.
Hugs XX
Mia
Mia, love how you refer to God as your Papa!