Do you remember the movie Polar Express? A Tom Hanks movie, it suggests that the main character needs only to believe, in order to hear the ringing of a Christmas bell – signifying belief in Santa Claus. Once you believe, you begin to hear things that you were unable to discern before. I don’t mean to infer this is what Mr. Hanks intended for us to take away from the movie, this is simply how I have understood the plot. When I think of this movie, the memory that comes to mind happens at the very end of the movie – on Christmas morning. They opened all the presents, and they find the bell and open it. It makes a beautiful sound, and as they’re passing around the bell, and only the kids can hear the bell. I relate this to, what I think is one of the better tricks our flesh plays on us, we get going so fast, consumed with all the adulting we’re engaged in. Look how important and adult-y I am… we proudly trumpet. Busy equals a good steward, yes? But when do we slow down enough to hear the proverbial bells?
It is so much easier to fill the quiet parts with verbs.
We want to DO things.
We don’t want to be still and silent.
Amazingly, this is not how God has chosen to work in our world. The most powerful being that has ever been, doesn’t have to shout. He needn’t clamor for your attention. the God of the universe needn’t speak to mere mortals at all, but he does. And when He does – He is often quiet.
Let’s look to 1 Kings 19 for a Biblical example of how God chose to speak with His prophet Elijah.
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19.11-13 CSB
A gentle whisper. Huh.
It’s been a few weeks since I blogged. Not because I’ve distracted, as much as re-purposed. Or repurposed in my mind, at least. As I had started to write, I had a conversation with God, about needing the time and energy to be able to write regularly.
In a fairly typical God way – which is to say awesome – rightly inspiring of awe – His answer was for me to start a business. And as He revealed to me this plan, it was abundantly clear to me that I would have the time to both write, but also to correctly parent my kids, and to be engaged in their lives, and further, that these were responsibilities bestowed upon me.
Over the course of the last month, I’ve been diligently working on the creation of this business. As founder, the amount of energy I have put into this has been extreme. I’ve been getting into a bit of a daily rhythm, just working 12-14 hours a day doing business-y things. I am without an income, though not without hope of one… nevertheless, my lack of faith – my flesh – still pushes me to get to a paycheck as quick as I can… get to liquidity, get to cash flow positive – however you’d like to define it…
And then yesterday, I realized – I’ve fallen right into the old trap – that is, thanks God for your blessing and direction, I’ll take it from here. And while talking with my wife about it, I said to her this: “Sometimes, you need to slow down, so you can keep up with God.”
"Sometimes, you need to slow down, so you can keep up with God." -- Duane Powers
God is clearly working in my life, and I’ve been firsthand witness to His inspiration, but I still keep trying to do more and more – to be a faithful steward of what’s He is giving me, to not be wasteful… The question is – why am I trying to earn grace? Especially grace He’s already bestowed? I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I know that I need to make the time to write regularly, so hold me up, friends, and hold me accountable to continue creating.
While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10.38-42
Turns out – even when I have the very presence of God working in my life actively, I still forget to pray. I still get anxious about the humanity of it all. My flesh still nips at my faith, even though I have no reason whatsoever to doubt, my flesh still tries hard to get in the way.
What is the defense? Prayer. Slow down, so I can hear the small quiet voice of God. Praise the creator, because He is worthy. Allow each day to progress at its own pace, and stop trying to push. Abide.
~duane