A Springtime Soliloquy: Be Still




, By May is an excellent month to live out 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.” This springtime soliloquy can be enjoyed while sitting outdoors and relishing the spring weather before summer’s unrelenting heat drives us inside save for the very early mornings or late evenings. Pausing for a few minutes in a backyard pergola or a shady spot at a neighborhood park to gaze at plants and trees awash with spring growth provides the refreshment needed to remember God’s sovereignty. Frequently, our existence is one of continual distractions because of being in constant motion and engulfed in demands. Taking a few minutes to linger in His presence redirect us to what is important. We can benefit from Jesus’s loving response to Martha who had let busyness and aggravation at the lack of help by her sister usurp what really matters in Luke 10:41-42 “… Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Being still in His presence can be a preventative measure from pushing forward in our finite strength until succumbing to a sense of exhaustion or defeat. Taking time to be still and surveying all of the new life springing up inspires us to praise Him as the Creator. Basking in the bright spring sunshine encourages us to remember: “Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them” (Psalm 111:2). Although by the month of May many Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes have faded, we do not have to look far for glimpses of Indian Blankets and Pink Evening Primroses swaying gently in the breeze. Appreciating the vegetation changes assures us He is at always at work and “…makes everything beautiful in its time…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The year round twittering of Blue Jays, Cardinals and Doves is made sweeter by such seasonal visitors as Purple Martins, Chimney Swifts, and Barn Swallows. Listening to the symphony of birdsongs gives us hope for we are loved by the Lord our God who “…will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Sitting quietly surrounded by the myriad of evidence of His creation observable during spring can be a trigger for resetting our minds. Philippians 4:8 instructs us: “…Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” Our stressors and troubling thoughts become secondary when enjoying landscapes alive with the vibrant sights, fragrances and sounds associated with spring. It is in such moments we can appreciate the fact that He is exalted and will help us to rise above any chaos and clutter trying to control our lives. Heeding the suggestion of the springtime soliloquy of being still allows us to be encircled by all of the evidence of new growth in nature. This positions us to clearly hear about the newness he longs for us to experience. As the once barren tree branches now flourish with fresh green leaves, we can look to Him with joyful expectation about what He will do with areas of our lives needing a refreshing touch. In areas in which we have had missteps, we can rejoice for Lamentations 3:22-23 informs us: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” If old mindsets, wounds, and/or disappointments have kept us in a dark and cold place, we can rejoice nonetheless, for 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” Receiving a download of Kingdom wisdom may occur when we take the time to be still in His presence. Proverbs 8:1 reminds us “Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way; where the paths meet, she takes her stand” indicating the LORD desires us to be attentive to His call for wisdom. However, His call can be drowned out by the noisiness of our lives. Participating in a springtime soliloquy of stillness permits our path, filled with unanswered questions about worries and direction, to intersect with His path overflowing with answers bursting with heavenly wisdom. Finally, when taking time to enjoy His presence on a bright spring day, we can be overwhelmed with all of the displays of life around us. Whether it is through flora or fauna, spring is a time to celebrate life for as we are told in John 10:10 “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God’s yearning for us be still and enjoy His presence is poetically stated in Song of Solomon 2:11-13: “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard in our land; The fig tree forms it early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”