Some of my friends have thoughtfully picked out words or quotes to inspire them for the New Year. I think this is a fun idea, though I hesitate to pick one for myself. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m just not that organized. Maybe things have just been so crazy for us the last few years that each year feels kind of like ten. Maybe I just don’t ever know what’s going to happen next.
My friend, Megan finally pushed me over the edge and made me really think about it. She picked the word RELAX. I really like that. In fact, I was just going to go ahead and steal it from her and make it my word, but something else kept popping into my head.
It’s that scripture–you know, the one in Psalms 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.”
It also shows up in Doctrine and Covenants 101:16: “Let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.”
Of course what kept coming to mind was “relax and know that I am God.” Not exactly accurate, but I think that’s one way of interpreting those verses. The more I thought about it the more I realized that this scripture is really what I need to think about and remember for the next year. We’re going to be moving across the country (again). We’ll be buying a business and taking it over (if all goes well). We’ll have to find a new house in a new place. We’ll have to find a new school for our son, Max and go to a new ward (again).
It’s all really scary. And intimidating. It makes me feel tired and frightened.
BUT. If I can think about it all in regards to these scriptures then I can think about it in a different way. If I can be still and know that Heavenly Father is God and that He is watching out for me then I don’t have to be so scared, or maybe scared at all. I’m not the only one watching out for me and my little family.
So maybe these big things we have to do can start to look exciting and adventurous instead of so scary.
The fact that I can’t ultimately control what happens in my life can be okay. There are divine beings watching out for us. Ultimately even if bad things happen we have hope that all will be ok and that we will be able to be together in the end.
I’ve just got to have faith. Relax, have faith and do the work.
One of my favorite men in the world, Jeffery R. Holland wrote the following in a wonderful article in the Ensign this month:
“Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester, a new major or a new romance, a new job or a new home hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past?
“To all such of every generation, I call out, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).”
Could that be more perfect and appropriate?
He writes and speaks so well. Just listening to his words brings me comfort.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
OK, I’ll try. I’ll try my best.
I am sitting at home today waiting for some cancer testing. Thank you for your thoughts….I needed them….and especially today. “(My) flesh” is most literally in His Hands today.
We moved a lot when we were younger, too, and I am so grateful! Living in a different town, state and/or country broadens the horizons so much. I agree that it is hard and stressful but I am so happy I had a chance to live in a few other places before we came back “home” to roost. Good luck!
I love the word/thought that you have chosen for your year – Be Still, what a great thought and a powerful scripture. Thank you.
Oh, this is a good one for me. Be still. I’ve spent so much of my life being frantic and stressed! It’s kind of wired in me, but when I can take a step back and try to trust God more, I am able to tap into the power of being still and receive more ability (again, not naturally mine) to be more calm.
Thank you for this post.