When was the last time you enjoyed a campfire? When was the last time you just sat down and let the heat warm your body?
I love campfires. There is just something so peaceful and calming about them, but before last night, I could not have told you when the last time was that I had enjoyed a campfire. This is not for lack of opportunity. I have a little campfire ring in my backyard, and I keep a supply of dry wood all year. I had simply been “too busy.” I was too busy with everything else going on in life to stop and enjoy a simple fire.
But, last night, I decided it was time, so I found some cardboard, cut up some kindling, and grabbed the lighter. It didn't take long before I had a nice cozy fire burning. However, I must confess that I spent most of the night distracted by everything else while the fire slowly burned down. I was busy checking social media and watching stupid little videos, all while the fire grew dim. When I finally looked up from my phone, I realized that the fire had dwindled to coals. I was then faced with a decision, would I put another log on the fire and take time to enjoy it or would I walk away, turning my attention to the next act of busyness. Would I choose to relax and be still or would I choose to stress myself even more? Then a familiar scripture came to mind.
Psalm 46:8-11 (NLT)
Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
We are all faced with this similar choice. We all have things that we continually put off because we are "too busy." We have things that we know bring us peace and joy that we ignore because we are distracted by everything else in life. We all have to choose whether we will be busy or be still.
Thankfully, I chose to grab another log and sit back down. I chose to "be still." I sat in stillness and watched the beauty of the flames. I sat in stillness and let the heat warm my body. I sat in stillness and praised God for all that He is and all that He is continuously doing. I sat in stillness and knew that He is God.
We are living in crazy times. Many of us have been forced to stay home. Many of our activities have been canceled. And while this has been rather stressful, it also provides us the perfect opportunity to "be still." So take time in the coming days to put aside busyness and stress and "be still." Take time to play a game with your family. Take time to have a real conversation with an old friend. Open that Bible that been collecting dust on the shelf. Spend some time reading. And then, be still in prayer. Sit in stillness and be amazed by the beauty of God. Sit in stillness and let His love warm you to your very core. Sit in stillness and know that He is God.