Moms, Dads, singles, career people, college people--fall apart?? Never--you must be kidding! Why, we've got it all together--no ruffles, no races, no rumpus. If you live on this planet, you know that statement is the most outrageous fantasy and falsehood you've ever heard! For we ALL fall apart--at work, at home, at school, AND at church--the whole world is falling apart--so what's NEW?
"NOTHING is new under the sun ," they say--and NOTHING is new under the SON either! For you see, the Lord knows exactly what you are going through, or have been through this week. And HE has a word for you AND me...well, two words, to be exact: "Come apart!" There's a time and a season when nothing works--self-righteousness, self-indulgence, self-pity, self-talk, and any other "self" you can think of. When we've tried it all ourselves, then it's time, PAST time, for us to stop, calm down, and "come apart!" Let's do it now!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Come apart and...be still!...Weary from the "heavy stuff" of life? We can become so weary of soul that if God speaks, we don't even hear him. The worries and woes of life crowd our minds and our emotions--they clamor for our attention, and God's voice is drowned out. Is it possible to "be still" in the midst of turmoil? Christ commanded the sea to be still once; and it was. He commands US to be still as well, but can we obey such a command? Yes, when HE commands it--He would not command something we cannot do. It is a choice we make. And when we finally make that choice, we are in a prime position to hear HIS voice. THAT'S when He speaks--but not until we are still. Need rest for your soul? Then "Come apart and...be still!"
"Be still, and know that I am God...(Psalm 46:10 KJV)."
Come apart and...sit still!...Weary from the hassles of life? We race and run and rumpus around the universe; we keep unearthly hours; we eat unhealthy foods; we wear our bodies to a frazzle, and then we wonder why we feel so tired. Of course, we're tired! We need to stop running, stop racing, stop the rumpus, and sit still! Our bodies were not meant to be monster machines of unlimited energy and drive. They need REST--and we abuse them constantly. We must STOP it and take time--to smell the flowers, to hear the music, to feel the sunshine. To do NOTHING! Is that possible for a "type A" personality or anyone else? Yes, when HE commands it--He would not command something we cannot do. AND His commands are wise--He MADE our bodies; He KNOWS what they need. Need rest for your body? Then "Come apart and...sit still!"
"...Their strength is to sit still (Isaiah 30:7 KJV)."
Come apart and...stand still!...Weary from hard battles of life? We fight the enemy until our spirits are spent--depression is inevitable. Look at Elijah under the juniper tree--and see yourself! For many times, after spiritual warfare, in weariness of spirit, you collapse under the tree--depressed, in despair, defeated--well, you're NOT defeated; you're just worn out from the battle. And the Lord knows that--that's why He tells you to stand still--HE wants to fight the battle FOR you, for the battle is NOT yours--it is the LORD'S. Is it possible to "stand still" in the middle of the battle? Yes, when HE commands it--remember, He would not command something we cannot do! Need rest for your spirit? Then "come apart...and stand still!"
"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show to you today...(Exodus 14:13 KJV)."
Now somewhere in "Words from the Well" you've heard this before--I heard it many times from my pastor dad whose ministry is the backbone of my spiritual life. But I need to hear it again--I needed it one day this week, when the only word I had to describe how I felt was "weary." Just plain "weary!" From that feeling came today's devotional and the verse below. I guess the Lord must test out His proven "theories" in Peggie's laboratory first; then He gives me the privilege of sharing those lab secrets with you! Now I KNOW the theory; it's in the LAB I have the problem! My husband, the tough chemistry professor, would say, "To KNOW a theory is not enough; you must PROVE you know it in the lab!" And so, theory-laden brain that I have, let's work it out in the LAB of LIFE--me, you, and all other saints who need to COME APART...so we don't FALL APART!!
And that's just a word or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 KJV)."
"Lord, I get so WEARY! How many times do I needlessly fall apart, when all I need is to "come apart" with YOU. Help me to be still, sit still, and stand still--this week, and every week! It's Your command and I want to obey. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
