Nothing Still

“I'm just a dreamer, but I'm hanging on. Though, I am nothing big to offer. I watch the birds, how they dive in then gone. It's like nothing in this world's ever still”

—The Tallest Man on Earth, “The Dreamer”

If you are anywhere near Chicago today, then you are enjoying the wonderful wind. Compared to hurricanes or tornadoes, it is not that bad. However, it is definitely not the normal for this area. Inside this madness, I am reminded that we live in a world that never is still. 

Everything around us is in a constant state of change as we watch day turn to night. Weeks turn into months, and months to years. We see trees blossom and then give way to fall. We witness the world in constant flux, yet we are never satisfied to enjoy the ride. 

Finding peace in the still moments requires a special kind of trust. We know that life happens. We know that today is the tomorrow that we worried about yesterday. All of our ambition and collective potential equates to who we are at this moment. We are never more than what we can be now.

That does not mean that the potential to do bigger things does not exist. It simply means that who we choose to be now is the person that we are. Life does not stand still and neither should our dreams.

Sometimes, we focus on the past a bit too much. You know that person that is constantly comparing everything to that big corporate win that they had five years ago. It seems like their whole life is designed to be a reflections of that one moment. It is great to recognize those high moments in life, but at what cost do we neglect to see the relevance of now. Now is what we are given. Tomorrow is an exercise in trust. 

We have to trust that the world will not fizzle out of existence if we simply stop and just rest. We have to trust that our lives are going to continue with the plans of our future. We have to trust that tomorrow will come, even though it is not promised. God has our hearts in his hands and He is the determination of our future. If tomorrow is not in the cards, then so be it. However, in the meantime, we must trust that it will go on as status quo. We must face the fear of living out our dreams in the face of uncertainty.

When I was a kid, I thought I could be anything. Do anything. Say anything. Today, I have a quiet tongue with a calculated demeanor. I plan my moves and orchestrate my thoughts with internal processing. Yet, I never seem to be able to stop putting my foot in my mouth. These days I tread lightly and guard my steps.

In the quiet times, we find reflection. Most of us are intimidated or afraid of those moments. We seek distraction and long for anything to take our mind off of the stillness. However, it is the stillness that greatness can be revealed. I heard Ravi Zacharias once say that “you can look into the eyes of a tiger and see majesty, or look into the eyes of a tiger and be terrified." I think this is true of ourselves. You can look into yourself and be terrified or you can see the majesty that God has created.

Change comes from within. We can either stand firm on our in-decision, or we can stand firm on our convictions. We can choose to be still and find meaning within our own lives, or we can hide in our own skin. Either way, it is a still small voice that calls us to action from within. It is the gentle whisper that awakens a mighty giant. 

David seemed like the least likely person to beat Goliath, yet he was the most qualified. He spent many cold nights watching the flock and reflecting on who he was. He was an expert at survival, simply by allowing his surroundings to create majesty within him. He was forged by the fires of life. He fought the beast and won, he understood the great quality of patience. When Goliath approached, he was the one to rise up and defeat the giant.

Sometimes, we are the exact right person to fight the battle that is before us. Nine years ago, I was afflicted with an illness that would change my life forever. My suffering is a harsh reminder of what I am made of. I could give in and quit, or I can rise up and face my giant head on. I search for God in my struggles. The verse in 1 Kings reminds me that even though devastating events may be happening around me, God is in the stillness. He is waiting for me to hear His voice and walk boldly into His presence.

“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.”1 Kings 19:11‭-‬12 NIV

His gentle whisper is my mighty battle cry. I will be me and I will embrace the change within. My stillness is where I find His victory.