Stop Striving….Start Sitting

When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?
Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?
When he has leveled the surface,
does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,
barley in its plot,
and spelt in its field?
His God instructs him
and teaches him the right way. ~ Isaiah 28:24-26

(Read all of Isaiah 28 for a full picture.)

God gave me the phrase “Stop striving….Start sitting” at the end of July 2010. Knowing I’m more Martha than Mary, my first question was, “Seriously, Lord, how do I stop striving?”

As it is, one does not “start” sitting. Sitting, though considered an action verb, is a completion of action – moreover a ceasing of action. While many might sit to rest, others might sit to be entertained, to be educated, or to eat. I fall into the latter category. When I sit, more often than not, I am still in constant motion or thought. I grade papers, crochet, write, have a snack, play piano, plan meals, make a grocery list, and on and on and on. I may do any of these things while watching TV, helping one of my kids with homework, waiting for my daughter at skate lessons, or eating breakfast. In other words, I am a multi-tasker. (Even now, as I revise this post, I am answering my son’s questions about his homework!)

In the seven months since receiving this phrase from the Lord, I have endeavored to sit more. But, even saying “I have endeavored” implies “striving”. It is difficult for me to sit and be still. How can a person sit and “start” at the same time? At a NASCAR race the announcer says, “Start your engines!” What happens? The engines are started. The engines are revved, but no cars move forward. They sit. Waiting….Then the green flag is waved, and the cars GO!

Most mornings I begin the day sitting, yielding myself and my plans to God. Some days I still rev my engine and pull out in front of God when I should follow, benefitting from drafting. When the weather is warmer, I can catch a walk alone, taking Scripture to meditate on and memorize instead of my to-do list. When it gets colder, I find it difficult to find alone-time; thus the multi-tasker takes over and I find myself striving. In the cold months, I have to work at sitting; I have to take care and plan those precious quiet moments. Sometimes it means a day off from work, sending my kids and husband to the grandparents for an afternoon, taking a drive by myself, or enjoying lunch with my Bible at a table for “two”.

What do you do to sit at the Savior’s feet?