Still Life

My reading this morning from Joy and Strength was so right for me today that I have to write about it.
Invincible Patience by Mary Wilder Tileston-
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5

"Plan not, nor scheme, --but calmly wait;
His choice is best.
While blind and erring is thy sight,
His wisdom sees and judges right,
So trust and rest."
Adelaide A Proctor

" 'GREAT peace have they which love My law.' They see that from ME, the sovereign Ruler of the world, who governeth all things with infinite wisdom, order, and love, nothing but good can spring; and that I can take care of them and their affairs far better and more successfully than they could of themselves.
Thus, considering that all that happens to them comes from Me, they are strong with an invincible patience, and bear all things, not only with resignation, but with cheerfulness and joy, tasting in all things that befall them externally or internally the sweetness of My ineffable love. And this is to believe, and meditate with a cheerful and grateful spirit, even in the midst of tribulations and difficulties, that it is I who sweetly dispose all things, and that whatever happens springs from the inexhaustible fountain of My goodness." --St. Catharine of Siena

My immediate response to the reading was, "YES, I know this!" Then, why do I at times wiggle and squirm when I can't see the road ahead or when things are unbearably difficult? Psalm 46:10 reminds me to "Be still, (cease striving) and KNOW that I AM GOD." Ruth 3:18 says "Sit still, my daughter and wait and see how the matter will be settled." The sovereign God of the universe, the One who loves His children with an everlasting love has everything under control! Underneath are His everlasting arms!
"Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed NEVER cease, for His compassions NEVER fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord IS my portion, says my soul, therefore I have HOPE in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord." (Lamentations 3:20-26)
How do I wait? Psalm 5:3 reminds me that I can wait expectantly. Psalm 27:14 commands me to wait, to be strong and courageous. Psalm 33:20 reminds me that I can wait, hoping in the Lord because He is my strength and shield. Psalm 37:7 commands me to "Be STILL and WAIT patiently. And then there is the well known verse in Isaiah 40 that promises that those who wait for the Lord "will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." There are numerous verses in the Bible that refer to waiting. It is worth the effort to look them all up and write them out. I keep a spiritual journal. It is filled with verses, prayers, devotional words and the words to hymns and choruses. It is within the pages of my journal that I often find strength and encouragement when I am weak.

What is a still life? In art, it is generally a composition of inanimate objects that are placed in such a way as to draw the viewer in and communicate something to them. It can be something of great beauty. For a child of the King, a still life - is a life of resting in the Lord, of trusting Him because He is in absolute control of everything. It is a life that doesn't try to manipulate or orchestrate circumstances for the benefit of achieving one's desires. It is a life that waits for the Lord and stays busy doing the work that He has given to be done. It is a life of continuous surrender to daily circumstances.... a life of contentment which allows no room for complaining about anything - not even the weather. It is a life of great beauty and one which draws the viewer to Christ.

Jesus I am Resting, Resting

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
and have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings;
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me as I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

Refrain:
Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart. Hymn text by Jean S Pigott

blessings,
~Ruth