Over the past months the Lord has had me practicing stillness. I am fairly disciplined with my daily time with Him yet coming out of a  trying season has caused me to evaluate many things. One of the first things He said to me was

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you…

2 Chronicles 20:17

Today, this remains a constant whisper as I await the Lord’s move daily. Fortunately, He knew I was unable to fight this round. I had lost my strength and had entered into a time of confusion and chaos where my clinging to Him was essential for life and breath. A strong season of affliction will give you quite the lessons from the valley. I have found such solice in the rest. Yet like a butterfly about to exit the cocoon, occasional and intense wrestling would occur leaving me weary and wounded.

Stillness…I have been training in the art of stillness. So much of my prayer time, church time, etc is filled with noise. Not bad noise but rarely silence. Yet in this day it is most critical to be still….and listen. When was the last time our services or closet time with Christ was spent waiting on Him to speak? For we are a people who always want to send our petitions, cry before the Lord, lament our sorrows…and oh goodness all of this is so important! For He answers the heart in anguish!! However, there is a time to speak and a time to be silent..yes? Stillness is the training of our ears to His voice. The reading and re-reading of His word …to gain clarity and say..”Lord, what say thee here?”

There has been so much more peace in my heart as He has called me to withdraw a bit from the busy-ness of the world. Even in ministry we are taught we must be on social networks, get our name out there, in the music world we are told we need promoters, booking agents, press people…the truth is Christ lifts us up in His appointed time. I am not saying any of these things are wrong…only that maybe we have bought into the worlds methods…rather than the dependance upon Christ He desires. In this season I have walked away from many things that beckon my attention many minutes a day. I have set serious boundaries to protect my time with Him. I have declared television will not be my idol..and I am striving to enter into His stillness. Some will call it extreme..yet I know He is calling His church to be watching and praying..and to be ready and counted worthy to escape many things coming to our world.

He has even taught me the element of worship involved in mere stillness and silence.  As I come into His presence, silence allows me to bow at His holiness and merely enjoy His presence. Revere Him…sense Him…hear Him. So often we chatter away our time with Him never allowing Him time to respond. Should I not desire to know His heart on matters? How will I know if I never listen?

I have learned the magnificent yet huge responsibility of my heart turned towards His even when leading in worship. I have always said I feel like maybe it should be instead “lead worshiper” for in His presence all disappears but you and Him. Maybe it’s just me but I hope with all my heart He smiles as I worship..whether alone in my closet or in front of a congregation somewhere..not saying she worships with her lips but her heart is far from me as the scriptures allude.

He is trying to speak to His people…but we are always talking…never listening. Did you know that years ago songs held messages of escape and direction for slaves trying to get free? Buried in the lyrics were plans and preparations for a people on the move. I believe the same is for today…He still is using music to release His messages. Maybe we have not given way to the move of the Holy Spirit? Yes Praise! Yes Sing! But oh shall we also listen? What reverence is required as we near the throne… Yet we give little quiet of heart to His heart yearnings. At least I do. We think silence is awkward yet it is so much more..We must be ready at all times for His move. At our last event He spoke very clearly  that we needn’t wait until the end of the service for Him to save souls. He desires to speak from beginning to end..and to save souls and set people free from beginning to end. At any moment His Spirit will draw unto salvation. But oh how we hold off the work of the Holy Spirit…yet wonder why few respond to His grace. Only the Holy Spirit draws anyone…. Oh if God was given reign once again would we not see the revival we all pray for? But we must keep in step with His spirit in every moment. What if He decides to have an altar call during the music portion of worship? Would we abandon our regiment or program to allow Him to save souls in His own appointed time? I have and still am learning this stillness…that I may hear best His still, small voice.. I needn’t at times  do anything but await His move. For His direction. For His assignment. For His desires.

From time to time people ask me “What do you mean you hear the Lord speak in the stillness?” I explain the Word is Christ in written form..His heart. I can hear Him by reading it. I also explain sitting daily with Him and pouring out my heart..to which He does respond. We fail to share how to become intimate with Christ. What is intimacy? I would present…the stillness teaches us intimacy. In it will birth a song, a poem, a thought of a random scripture, a word He desires me to go research, a person I need to call, a sin I need to confess. This is hearing the voice of the Lord. But without the stillness? There will be only noise, especially in today’s society. A daily devotional will not allow us the deep locking of hearts with a God who is jealous for us…and our time. For as with people, the more time we spend with someone the more we get to know them.

Stillness isn’t always doing nothing. Stillness for me is during my walk in my secret place with Him where I say” Lord I am simply listening today as all creation testifies. Bring to my heart and mind that which is on your heart.”

In this season I have had a change to my prayers. I have asked Him to make me a soul winner. Nothing more and nothing less.  A surrendered worshiper whose words are laced with the Spirit’s power, love, and grace to draw unto salvation, to set captives free, heal the sick, bind that which was broken..for I have nothing to offer anyone but Christ alone. May His breathed melodies that He has graciously entrusted to me cause bended knees  that usher in a saving Christ whose blood was shed to redeem mankind. May my stillness leave room for His work. Honestly, I am tired of the pursuit of powerless ministry. Oh how we get pulled into this and mistake it for the work of God rather than the flesh it is at times. I am abandoning my own efforts to embrace His. I am doing less…so He can do more. I am being still so that I can watch the salvation of the Lord..

In essence..Stillness has great power..for then the work is all His…

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33