About 5 years ago by friend Sarae told me about the idea of choosing one word as a theme for our family- to focus on for the upcoming year.  2009 was Trust, 2010 was Seek, 2011 was Celebrate, 2012 was Give Thanks, and 2013 is (drum roll please)…

Be Still.

Let me give you a little background.  2011 was a tough year working through loss (some difficult things happened at work and three of our best friends moved on).  2012 was a year full of ups and downs with our adoption journey.  As you can see, both the ideas of “celebrate” and “give thanks” turned out to be interesting challenges to act on; contrary to our circumstances.  To celebrate even when it felt painful; to give thanks even when we weren’t getting what we wanted.  So, I am wondering…maybe 2013 will be one full of action and the challenge will be to be still (be at rest and peace, trusting in His steadfastness) in the midst of it all…we will see!

I chose this One Word (okay it is two words, but they work together to make one idea), partially based on Psalm 46:10  “…be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NIV). In the New American Standard Version of the bible (my version of choice, since it is translated word for word instead of idea for idea, making it ideal for word studies), this verse says, “Cease striving and know that I am God…”

For a type A personality like me, the words “be still” and “cease striving” sound really challenging, yet wonderful at the same time.  When I looked up the Strong’s number for cease (7503) I found the following, “to relax, to let drop, refrain, to let go, let along, to be quiet, to show oneself slack, to abate” (this information was found on www.blueletterbible.org which is a great tool for bible study/word studies).  I wasn’t sure what abate meant, and was surprised and convicted when I read its definition, “to put an end to, to reduce in degree or intensity.”

Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe that God wires us each in various ways for specific purposes, but my hubby has a warranted pet peeve; when people excuse, brush off, or dismiss sinful/wrong behavior as their personality- like they can’t help it.  So, the power of the Holy Spirit and balance are needed to address personality strengths and weaknesses.  In other words, my type A tendencies can be used for good (like assertiveness and the drive to improve), but they can also be hindrances as well.

So, when I started unpacking “be still” today, I began to see what God might be trying to put His finger on in my life.

1 Peter 3:4  “let it {beauty} be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God.”

I have struggled with this verse in the past; feeling like God did not make me a gentle and quiet person, but a dramatic, passionate, and bold person.  But, when I looked up gentle and quiet, I discovered it doesn’t mean timid or weak- it seems to mean more…at rest and peaceful; internally…”mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness.”

Please take a moment and read these two commentaries on Psalm 46:10, specifically on the area of meekness.


Blue Letter Bible Commentary

What stuck out to me here was “that disposition of spirit in which we accept His [God’s] dealings with us as good and therefore without disputing or resisting….wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice…gentleness and meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness or self-interest [ouch]!

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible  (click on this link and scroll down past the “Parallel Translations” until you see “Parallel Commentaries”, Barnes is the first one in that section)

What stuck out to me here is “leaving matters with God or of being without anxiety about the issue.  A calm, confiding, trustful state of mind in view of the displays of the divine presence [a.k.a the Lord].“

So, we will see how God uses this idea of be still to refine me.  It will be interesting to revisit this topic throughout the year and see what is specifically being learned.  I desire to be a woman who does not control, but is at rest in God’s Presence and ability (sufficiency) to direct my life and the lives of those around me.  Control is a huge issue I wrestle with and asking Him to grow me in this area [of not striving, but resting and trusting, and being at rest internally] is going to be challenging, but I long to change and be refined; for my health, for the benefit of my family, and mostly for His glory.

Deep Breaths:  Consider visiting One Word today and joining this journey of growth and adventure in the New Year.

I would love to hear what your word is, why you chose it, and how you hope to grow through it.