a season of stop

“In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.”

~Isaiah 30:15

Even before I surrendered to Jesus at age 30, jumping into leadership roles was always my thing, from sports teams and student government to professional management and friend-groups. So, this pattern naturally continued in my Christian journey, from women’s Bible study group facilitator to home group leader (with my husband) to women’s ministry director. In my experiential talents and spiritual gifts, the Lord has allowed me to teach, encourage, and disciple—working through me while growing and blessing me in the process. (Just to be clear, I also recognize that there’s a fleshy side to “leadership” called “control”—and, as Paul teaches us in Romans, it’s been a constant battle for me to yield to the spiritual side.)

As I (way too) quickly approach my sixtieth birthday, however, an unfamiliar pull seems to be coming from the Lord. And, somewhat frustratingly, this recognition is showing up in every facet of my life (work, church, friends, even family). Now, I’m not sure it actually has anything to do with my accruing years…rather, I feel like it’s the dawn of a new spiritual season.

No matter how long you’ve been a Christ follower, you have no doubt walked through various seasons—times of deep abiding in Christ, waiting on the Lord, undeserved blessings, refining pain. Praise God, there is nothing that we go through that has not been addressed in God’s Word, extolled by His people, or experienced by our sweet Savior (Hebrews 4:14-16). Most of the time, we don’t really identify or label “the season” until it’s in the rearview mirror…when we can look back and say, “Oh, I see what You did there, Lord—thank You!” For other seasons, although we come through them to the “other side”, we may not see or understand their purpose until we’re glorified in heaven. Still other times, you can identify that something new from the Lord is on the horizon…you just don’t know what’s in store.

So, what’s this current I’m now swimming in that’s gently pulling me away from the shores of familiarity? Not quite as strong as an undertow, but equally as disconcerting, everything around me seems to be diminishing in a weird way. But it’s not really that the people, church, and work of my life are fading or distancing…it’s my controlling grasp on them. My need to lead, go, do. It’s like the Lord is consistently whispering, “Stop. Rest. Trust Me.” In my growing discontent with my current work, He says, “Just do what’s right in front of you—with excellence—not concerning yourself with how others are doing their job.” With regard to the “humanness” of church leadership, He soothingly says, “Step back and focus on what I am doing there—the hope found, the lives transformed, the eternities changed.” Even within my family and especially with my adult children, the Lord, with a knowing grin, reminds me, “Trust Me with them—I love them more than you do and am glorifying Myself through their lives.” And as my body gets weaker, despite my grasping at every health trend, He comforts me with, “This world is not your home, child. Don’t hold it so tightly.” Can you relate, sweet friend? 

In Isaiah 30:15 the Lord concisely summarizes this concept. Expanding it a bit here with the Hebrew word definitions, it reads: “In repentance (returning to God) and rest (quietness) you will be saved (free, safe, preserved, rescued), in quietness (stillness) and trust (confidence) is your strength (valor, might, power, victory).” Can I get an “Amen”? This is simple, but it is far from easy. So, I’m stepping obediently (albeit hesitantly) into this new season of “stop” and “trust”. 

What about you? What is the Lord whispering to your spirit at this time? Is it, “Go! Lead the way!” Then go—He’ll equip you! Or, like me, is it, “Be still (stop striving) and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)? Beloved, He is calling you, beckoning you follow. Let’s listen for His voice and step out in faith.

Lord, I do trust You. Help me be still and quiet. No matter the season You bring, may I always trust You and know You are God—in the “go and do” and the “stop and wait”.