Author: Cheryl

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God”  John 1:12

I recently enjoyed visiting a somewhat obscure, fascinating military museum in our area. The North Carolina Military History Museum at Fort Fisher, NC, is brimming with artifacts from North Carolina’s rich military history. The artful display of uniforms, weapons, and equipment transports visitors back in time to an era that defined this country. Most of the treasures were donated by family members, and the pictures and stories of the owners give the gallery a personal feel. Wandering through the narrow path of belongings and uniforms staged without glass or barriers was somewhat surreal because although touching was discouraged, you could get so close you could smell and see every fiber, nick, and stain.

Dog tags unofficially emerged during the Civil War because soldiers were afraid no one would be able to identify them if they died. They used crude elements to construct their makeshift tags, and the practice stuck. By World War II, military ID tags were considered an official part of the uniform. Dog tags have evolved dramatically from their original unpolished beginnings, but their intent has always remained. I looked at the dog tag’s simplicity and noted the few imprinted elements. That’s all it took to identify a person compared to today’s convoluted, confusing, and controversial trend of “identifying” ourselves. It seems like everyone is searching for something, attaching themselves to some group or movement to define who they are, where they fit in, and how they find relevance in this world. The most prevalent and controversial trend is that one’s identity is fluid.

This trend is the most unsettling and anxiety-producing of them all, in my opinion. I believe that God teaches us where our identity can be found throughout His Word, across all the books, so we can walk through life with inner peace and assurance of where we belong and Who we belong to. The idea of fluidity regarding identity and the endless need to search for identity in external things, such as relationships, feelings, social trends, appearance, jobs, careers, and financial status, reminds me of one of the teachings from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matt 7:26-27). The storms of life, changing trends, a stock market downturn, relationship failure, and job loss all lead to the collapse of one’s identity, and often, the crash causes permanent damage to one’s mental health. The skyrocketing rate of depression and suicide gives evidence of the results of building one’s identity on external sources.

The only solid foundation upon which to build or understand our identities starts with knowing and believing we are children of the Most High God. It begins with understanding who He is, what He says about Himself, and what He says about us. We must look at ourselves through God’s eyes, not what others tell us we are or through our accomplishments, to paint an accurate picture of ourselves. In and through Christ, we are loved, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, and adopted into a new family. We are precious in His sight. He loves us so profoundly because He is God. And that is it! There is no “but,” or “and,” or “if.” God’s love for us is the solid foundation for building our new identities. His love is unshakeable and unconditional and cannot be influenced or go out of trend. Spending time with Him in prayer and study will broaden and solidify our understanding of our new identity. It will become rock solid and not fluid.

If we all truly believed all God says about us and how He feels about us, all the guilt, shame, fear, and unbelief from our lives before accepting Christ and even as Believers would drown in the flood of His love. How would your life change by firmly grabbing hold of your identity in Christ alone? What would you want your dog tag to say? And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.    

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

Laughter filled the rooms as I sat and listened. It was heartwarming, safe, genuine, and familiar gaiety among longtime friends. I would have recognized the voices and laughter even in a strange place with my eyes closed because of their familiarity. One of the many blessings of long-standing relationships is the closeness that naturally develops to the point of instantaneous voice recognition. I am old enough to remember the days before caller ID when the telephone was attached to a cord with a rotary dial. Call screening didn’t exist because you didn’t know who was on the other end until you picked up the receiver. Only the strangers calling would need to identify themselves. Even without a caller ID, you knew who it was on the other end because you recognized the voice.

Numerous books, sermons, and Bible studies have been written on the subject of recognizing God’s voice. Most of those references conclude that there is no cookie-cutter template or black-and-white rules for knowing God’s voice. The one overriding takeaway of learning God’s voice is that you will not recognize it unless the voice is familiar. It is a lifelong journey of seeking Him, yearning for His voice to speak into our lives, and taking steps forward, only to fall backward and get back up again. When I read stories of God speaking directly and audibly to His people in the Old Testament, I want that same experience and would welcome it daily. But today, God speaks through other believers, His creation, and His Word. His deepest desire is that we recognize His Spirit’s voice as our faith grows.  

Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. The people of Israel were well acquainted with the work of a shepherd. Sadly, most people today cannot relate to this reference because they do not understand the nature of sheep and consequently can miss the importance of recognizing the voice of the Shepherd.  In John 10:3-5, Jesus says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Shepherds lead their sheep with only their voices; no fancy gimmicks or equipment is needed.  The familiar, recognizable voice of the shepherd is the only beckoning call a sheep will respond to, to call it home when it has gone astray, keep it within the fold, and comfort it in times of confusion along unprecedented paths. Let us endeavor to be more like sheep, spending time with the Shepherd in prayer and studying His Word until His voice becomes as familiar as the voices of our dearest friends and family. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture is of our recent gathering of longtime friends from Virginia and Florida, reuniting with all of us living in North Carolina.

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. Lamentations 3:22-23

Spiritual journeys are precisely as they sound. They are a journey. I have often thought that wouldn’t it be nice if at salvation there was an automatic download of all spiritual knowledge and wisdom necessary to peacefully and righteously navigate the remainder of our days on earth. The Bible instructs us in numerous verses to seek wisdom and knowledge from God in all circumstances. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).  There are many definitions of wisdom. Still, one of my favorites is; “putting our understanding or knowledge to use.” It is such a simple description to explain a process encompassing a complex combination of circumstances, emotions, and variable amounts of time. Gaining wisdom can be a journey, or it can be somewhat instantaneous. If you put your hand on a hot stove, you learn that a hot stove burns your hand, and instantly, you are wise enough not to do that again, hopefully! Reading about and knowing about God’s sovereignty is the first step, but believing in and accepting the sovereignty of God is gaining wisdom, and that is where the journey often comes into play.  One of my favorite sayings is, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” I’ve discovered that it can also be applied to Biblical wisdom. The transformative power of God’s wisdom is life-changing and gives us hope.

Our lives are a series of circumstances, each providentially ordered by God to draw us closer to Him and glorify Him. This is the purpose of life in a nutshell. The good, bad, ugly, joyful, tear-filled days all serve this singular purpose in God’s eyes. Interestingly, the darkest days often lead to the most profound insights, shining a light on our Savior and His faithfulness. Just because we’ve gained wisdom from a Biblical principle in one circumstance doesn’t mean we’ve reached the end of our journey. There’s always more to learn and more wisdom to gain. We don’t know what we don’t know, and that’s the beauty of our spiritual journey.

God has entrenched me in the Book of John for over a year, and this summer’s Bible study has brought me to Lamentations. From John’s testimony, Jesus’s miracles, His profound “I AM” statements, Jesus’s last days, arrest, trial, death, burial, and resurrection, John’s gospel affirms that Jesus is the Son of God, He can be trusted, and He is faithful to His word and to us. I cannot remember a time when I did not believe in the sovereignty of God and His faithfulness in my life, but I freely admit it has had its shallow points. Believing and remembering don’t always go hand in hand. We often forget God’s faithfulness throughout our lives, and God has to allow the circumstances of life to remind us, gain greater wisdom, and engrain us with an unwavering faith that does not forget. Because we are human, this happens repeatedly in our lives and is often painful. Clinging to God’s sovereignty and remembering his faithfulness during those times is imperative to maintain the proper perspective, God’s perspective, and come out on the other side with wisdom to share and grateful that God allowed us the opportunity to know Him deeper and love Him more because He first loved us. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of the Cape Fear Bridge in Wilmington, NC, during our most recent tropical storm last week. It’s a beautiful illustration of God’s faithfulness even in the midst of a storm. The photo is from WECT, taken by Venita Jenkins.         

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9

Within the past several months, I have had the opportunity to embark on not one but two “girl’s trips.” The first was a much-needed refreshing with my Virginia friends, and the most recent was with two ladies from my college dental hygiene class. I realize girl trips are every day now, but I had never experienced the adventure of one until this year and discovered I have been missing out! My most recent trip with my hygiene colleagues was unique because we had not seen each other in over forty years. Many folks asked me if I was nervous about spending so much time with folks I hadn’t seen or communicated with besides Facebook in so long, and I can honestly say I was not nervous at all.  I suppose I should have been anxious, considering almost a whole lifetime has passed since we last spoke or saw each other. Instead, I anticipated a familiar, tensionless, fun, and supportive reunion because we were friends no matter how much time had elapsed. And I was not disappointed because it was all that and more. It was as if we had never been apart, and it was a sweet, wonderful reunion. We laughed, we ate, we reminisced, and we made new memories. It was a testament to the enduring power of friendship.

In the book of John, Jesus refers to himself as our friend. “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Because Jesus describes Himself as our friend, that means friendship is not optional as a Christian. Jesus is our greatest friend, and sometimes, because of life’s commitments and messiness, it may seem like He is our only friend, but that is not His design for our lives. Jesus demonstrated and taught our human need for communion and friendship throughout the Gospels. Living in communion with the Father and one another in love is the meaning of life on this earth. We are not designed to do life alone; we need friends. That is why friendship is not an extra; it is essential.  

Healthy friendships remind us of and should mirror our friendship with Jesus. Friends help us to remember that we are not alone. God promises us that we are never alone, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deut 31:8). Friendships empathize with our struggles and invite transparency mirroring our experience with God through prayer. As Jesus accepted us while we were still sinners, true friends do not allow the sum of our mistakes or weaknesses to define us. They encourage us to rise above the failures, see ourselves as children of God, be made holy through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and welcome sanctification and growth.  “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time” (Hebrews 10:10). Genuine friendship demonstrates that I am acceptable and loved and not a burden despite life’s circumstances surrounding me. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). God gives good gifts, and our earthly friendships reflect this truth. God knows what will bless us, and He gives us to one another to come alongside each other to be a blessing. Lastly, I am reminded that when humanity turns towards Jesus, even when they have spent a lifetime apart, it will be a sweet reunion that is familiar, comforting, tensionless, and redemptive, just like my recent reunion in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Give praise for the gift of friendship and the friends God has brought into your life. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.        

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:22-23

I recently had the privilege of witnessing baptisms in the ocean for the first time in my life. The early morning of that day was stunningly beautiful. The sun was breaking through the clouds with the gentle roll of the ocean waves as the backdrop. As I stood on the shore and listened to the amazing testimonies of the folks about to enter the waters of baptism, I felt as though the ocean sensed something special was about to happen. I have thought about how to put the feeling into words for a while, but I know I can’t completely capture it. Coming forward to profess publicly faith in Jesus Christ and stepping into the waters of baptism is a day and a time of rejoicing and remembrance, and I have witnessed countless baptisms over the years. But there is undoubtedly something very different about walking into the waters only God commands underneath a sky that demonstrates His majestic artwork. The temperature and the depth of the water cannot be adjusted, and the attitude of the sky is unmanageable, unlike the thermostat of a sanctuary. Witnessing Saints walking into waters that God alone controls underneath a sky He commands, proclaiming His name, and professing faith in Him alone is indescribable. How fitting that Paul describes our salvation with the exact word, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Cor 9:15).

All of the testimonies I heard were deeply inspiring. Each person shared their unique journey and how they came to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Like snowflakes, our testimonies are all different and uniquely personal to us. I believe that is part of the Gift. As stated by Paul in Romans, there is only one way to salvation, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ.  One of the testimonies vividly illustrated this truth. The couple had been active in a different church for years, serving in leadership, and the wife had been raised in the church. A family member, with bold but loving concern, asked them if they had ever given their lives to Christ, and he discipled them in the saving grace of the gospel. “I was a good person, but I did not know the gospel. I was headed down the wide gate to hell and not the narrow gate the way towards Jesus,” was part of her testimony. Sadly, statistics tell us that all churches have a percentage of individuals just like this couple. Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples” (Matt 28:20) as part of the Great Commission. There are no perimeters or conditions attached to this command. We are called to share within the walls of our homes, churches, and workplaces, and the list is endless. It is not a command to a foreign land, although God may send you there. It is a call to share wherever Jesus plants us. We are the feet of Jesus and our mouths are to proclaim His name to all He puts in our path. From this experience, I learned never to make assumptions; God can call us to witness the person in the pew right next to us. I pray I will always be open to His leading. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture of the couple referenced in the tidbit was taken at Wrightsville Beach, NC.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (one of Alison’s favorites)

One of my recent daily psalm readings took me to Psalm 71, and I was reminded of my dear Friend, Alison Withers.  Alison left this earth on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. When I first met Alison almost twenty years ago, I thought she was among the most striking and beautiful women I had ever met. Little did I know I would come to learn that she was as beautiful inside as well. At her recent memorial service, her life was highlighted by her many accomplishments and boundless love for her family. But what I will remember most of all will be the many times she demonstrated her unshakeable faith in the absolute sovereignty of God.

Alison was saved as a young girl and walked with God her entire life. As the psalmist had experienced God’s unwavering faithfulness and teaching, so did Alison. The psalmist declared, “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long” (71:8). Alison never missed an opportunity to give God praise and glory no matter the circumstances of her life. She faced debilitating health and emotional challenges throughout the years, and even amid horrific pain, her words were always the same, “I’m good because I know God is with me.” Even when her life was far from wonderful, she never complained, and she never failed to tell of the wondrous works of God. Her heart desired to let God shine through the pain.

I never considered Alison old (she was sixty-nine at the time of her passing) because she was brimming with life and laughter. Her full head of striking silver hair was an attention-getter and only added to her beauty. The psalmist leads us to think that being old and gray-headed could be a disadvantage. But it never was for Alison. I believe people were drawn to Alison to get a closer look at her beautiful hair. It was one of the many features that made her unforgettable. Even in a casual conversation with Alison, you would hear about God at some point. The irony is whether it was her hair or sparkling personality that drew folks to her, she used it as an opportunity to “declare His strength and power.” With her humble spirit, telling “everyone who is to come” about Jesus was second nature for Alison.

God continued to use Alison her entire life to bear witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I saw it firsthand in Israel when she spent much of her free time talking to our Jewish tour guide about Jesus. During the trip, I witnessed a woman with a prosthetic leg experiencing pain and agony but never giving up. She completed every phase of the tour without a complaint. She fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). May we all aspire to do the same. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture was taken during our tour of Israel in March 2022.

I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds. Psalms 77:12(NET)

Memorial Day is a day to honor and mourn the country’s deceased servicemen and women. It was established as a time to reflect on the lives of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country and our freedom. But it looks vastly different today than its solemn beginning because many view it as the official start of summer, commemorated with cookouts, parties, and pool openings. In this fast-paced world, time set aside to reflect is seldom practiced or encouraged. Throughout the pages of scripture, we are admonished to reflect and meditate upon the many attributes of God, the consequences of actions and inactions of those directed by God, and how we can apply the principles to our daily lives. Reflection takes time, honesty, and vulnerability.

I was blessed to be a part of both Bible studies this past spring semester, which ended with a time especially dedicated to reflecting on the study and its impact on our lives. Hearing how God’s Word impacts lives so differently within the same study is uplifting and encouraging. It is a testimony to the hope-filled truth that God’s Word is alive. One of the studies explored the entire book of Ephesians. It has been a few decades since I joined a multi-generational group. The youngest member was twenty-two, and the oldest was in her late seventies. It was refreshing to witness a hunger for Biblical understanding in the younger Ladies and encouraging to glean wisdom and insight from the Titus women of the group.    

Paul begins his letter to the saints in Ephesus by detailing the doctrines of election and predestination. Paul reminds them that God is in control of all things at all times and that nothing catches Him by surprise. God is sovereign over all. I reflected on how much I needed that reminder. It’s not like God has not reminded me of this truth many times, especially during the seventeen military moves, but He knew I needed a refresher course.

Paul continues in the following chapters, reminding us that Christ is our peace. His prayer for the Ephesians prompted me to reflect on how much God truly loves us. Our human minds cannot fathom how wide, deep, long, or high His love is for us. But Paul encourages us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to grasp this truth so that we will be made complete (Eph 3:18-19). And with this truth in hand, as we look back over our lives, both the good times and the rugged roads within God’s providential plan, we can be reassured that His only motivation in that plan is His great love for us. 

In the book’s last chapter, Paul admonishes us to be strong in the Lord and put on God’s full armor. But after we put on the armor, he tells us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).  Prayer is our connection to God. It connects us to fellow Believers and non-believers. God answers all prayers. Even His silence is an answer. Through a reflection of our answered prayers, we can see God at work in our lives and the lives of others. Sometimes, it takes many years to understand His answers; sometimes, it is instantaneous. But it is only through reflection that we can give God all the glory. And that is the ultimate goal for every moment of our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Take the time and ask the Holy Spirit to help you reflect on the many blessings of God and His Word and their impact on your life. As you do that, take a moment to reflect on the fallen servicemen and women who died defending the freedom to share our testimonies, study His Word, and worship without governmental persecution. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture was taken at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

“What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me” Psalm 116:12

I started reading Psalms and Proverbs daily at the beginning of the month. I read Psalm 13 this week, and I love the questions David asked as he lamented to God. It shows us that we can share our heartache with God. Being perfectly honest with God, especially in the presence of pain, is one of the first steps towards turning to God with that pain and believing in His restorative power.

“How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:2). Our thoughts can engulf us, particularly in times of adversity. The word “wrestle” vividly depicts a back-and-forth struggle, a battle of winning and losing. In a wrestling match, victory is achieved by outmaneuvering and overpowering the opponent. Similarly, when we grapple with defeating thoughts, the best move is to surrender them to God and lean on His strength. Through His word and strength, we can conquer the thoughts that haunt us. If we rely on our strength, we will lose the wrestling match every time.

Our enemies are numerous and can include doubt, fear, and unbelief. Every believer struggles at some point with the enemies of the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), especially David. But David has a solution. “But I will trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me” (vs. 5-6). This psalm is about God’s loving way of sustaining us in times of trouble by remembering His faithfulness and goodness. I love how David ends with he will sing to the Lord. Sing loud enough to drown out the thoughts!   

The picture was taken at a local NC beach. God’s creation sings of His majestic power, grace, and beauty. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you” Isaiah 43:2. His sustaining power is evidenced along the shores of every beach, symbolizing the unrelenting presence of God amidst the wrestling tides of our lives. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

“I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 12-13

I think most people would agree that moving is not easy. It’s challenging mentally, emotionally, and physically. Recently, we have been helping our oldest daughter move into her first house, and I was once again reminded of the physical toll moving takes on the body. Bumps, bruises, sore muscles, and swollen joints are evidence of our aging bodies. Lifting, pushing, and pulling furniture and boxes becomes difficult at best and impossible in many cases as we age. Watching a professional mover single-handedly hoist a recliner upstairs with his mere strength is simultaneously remarkable and discouraging. Accepting limitations on our strength and inevitable physical weakness as we grow older is a part of aging, but it should never be a part of our spiritual lives. Strength comes in many forms, as well as weakness.

Moral and ethical weaknesses, financial and physical weaknesses, and occupational and parental weaknesses are a few that come to mind. But the most debilitating weakness is in our walk with God. This world will present many sufferings and challenges that can be generated by our weaknesses or the weaknesses of others in our lives. No matter what we face, we need strength to persevere. Not human bodily strength but God-given strength.  Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:10 to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”  But what if you don’t feel strong right now? What if your current circumstances feel like it has sapped every last ounce of your strength? The Bible tells us that is precisely where we need to be for God’s strength to take over.  The Lord says to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (NLT).

Plugging into God’s strength and overcoming weakness doesn’t just happen because we believe what the Bible says about God’s power and might. We have to access God’s strength on a practical level and apply it to our daily lives. What does relying on God’s strength and power look like, feel, taste, and smell like? All the strength we need for the challenges of this life is found within the pages of God’s Word (2 Peter 1: 3-8). We must read it, listen to it, memorize it, meditate on and walk in obedience to the Word. David Jeremiah tells us, “Like loving words from an encouraging friend, the words you find in the pages of Scripture will strengthen your soul with wisdom, joy, and light (Psalm 19:7-8). They’ll impart the certainty of God’s Word to give you strength.”

Worship and prayer direct our focus to the One who gives us strength. It breathes air into the deflated and discouraged soul. Tears of pain and sorrow may flow freely during heartfelt worship, but He catches every tear (Psalm 56:8) and can be trusted to turn those tears into joy amid any circumstance. Simply praising God’s name in adoration and love can impart a sense of power and strength found only in worship of Him.

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14). Waiting for anything or anyone in this chaotic world is not a popular trend. We want all things to be instantaneous, including an immediate fix to all the trying circumstances of life. But that is not God’s way. The Bible is filled with verses encouraging us to wait on God’s timing and accept his timeline. It is the most difficult to practice because it is in direct opposition to our world today. But as we wait in reliance on Him, we are strengthened. 

I pray that when we are weak, we realize that is when we are the most available to our Lord. Always remember, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). That is a promise and your Tuesday Tidbit.    

The picture is of our daughter’s new home.  

He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29(ESV)

Stillness in this world is a rare commodity. With all the busyness and noise, it’s easy to forget the need for stillness and the blessings it can bring. As I look back on growing up, I realize how fortunate I was to grow up in one of the most quiet places on the East Coast. How can I make this claim? Just a few short miles from my hometown, at the foot of the Shenandoah Mountain, lies the tiny town of Sugar Grove, WV. Google reports a population of around eight hundred, but I believe that to be somewhat inflated. Sugar Grove is the home of one of this country’s most historic and vital National Security Agencies (NSA). While growing up, it was simply called the Navy Base. Yes, a radio receiving station in West Virginia that is so secret and valuable that it is built underground with very limited access. Sugar Grove was chosen in the late 1950s because it was an area with the least amount of radio frequency interference. It is located in the National Radio Quiet Zone, established by Congress in 1958 to facilitate its mission. To this day, cellphone reception in many areas is non-existent. My children affectionately refer to my hometown as “the cave.” It is one of the stillest places on earth.

In the busyness of this life, it is easy to ignore the need for stillness and prioritize the wrong things. But the Bible teaches us to “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). God gives stillness precedence, and so should we. The words be still are translated from the Hebrew harp, which means “to let go” or “to release or to cause to let go.” One of my most challenging struggles as a Christian is the axiom, “Let go and let God.” Exodus 14:14 reinforces this principle. Consider the scene in Exodus. The Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army that was barreling toward them. They were outnumbered and powerless, but God intervened. Using Moses as His instrument, He reassured the Israelites, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Can you imagine the thoughts racing through their heads in that situation and being told to be still?  We know the story ends well with God parting the Red Sea and the Israelites finding safety on the other side. God showed up in a big way. But what about the moments, hours, days, weeks, months, and years before God shows up in His perfect timing? What does stillness look like, then? Being still is not just a physical act but also a spiritual act of refusing to strive in our power. In fact, in Psalm 46:10, “be still” means to “cease striving.” Being still must happen in the heart and the mind before our body can emulate it.

In my life, my need for productivity is my biggest stumbling block to practicing stillness. I call myself a “piddler.” I can spend a whole day going from one thing to the next, trying to avoid idleness. But stillness is not the same as idleness, and that false belief is a lie from satan. It is one of the many ways he convinces us to operate in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Clouding our minds with the busyness of this world through to-do lists and projects, social media and search engines, and the endless connectivity of texting and phone calls leads us down the wrong path of depending on outside sources for wisdom and peace. We must not let our drive for productivity and connectivity make us feel guilty for practicing stillness and miss out on connecting with the only source of true peace and wisdom- Jesus. Being still in the presence of the Lord is where we learn His will for our lives and all He has called us to accomplish. Productivity for Him brings genuine satisfaction in this life. I pray for all of us to stop striving for whatever it is in our day that prevents us from practicing stillness. May “being still” in the presence of our Lord be the umbrella that we gather under as life in this world rains down upon us. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.     

The photo is of family land in WV taken during a recent trip while enjoying the stillness.