A Raging Tempest Who can Still?

If someone were to ask you, "How's life?", I wonder how would you respond. "Full of ups and downs", "Ok.", "So-so", "Great!" or anything else? If you were to ask me, I guess my answer to you would be "My life is like a raging tempest." What does it mean? And why is there this raging tempest?

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is holy

Be still oh restless soul of mine

Bow before the prince of Peace

Let the noise and clamor cease

Recently, I am being bothered by many things in life - school work, family issues, ministry work and relationship. I had dinner with an old friend last Friday. I have been wanting to encourage her back to Christ for the past one year or so. Initially, I did not know how to and where to start. However, I finally mustered the courage to talk to her (regarding this issue). As I was sharing, she suddenly said this, "If you want to continue, you will just turn it off."

I was shocked by her remark. That also reminded of an sms which she sent me few months back, when I encouraged her to trust and depend on God. "I am not a staunch Christian like you... Don't use God to pressurize me... You will just make it worse." Someone who used to encourage me 4-5 years ago, actually said those things. I am not blaming her, nor anyone else. I was and am just disappointed and that really affected me, deep down.

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

My journey to the bus stop was about ten minutes. During the ten minutes, a lot of thoughts came to my mind. All the issues that I have to handle and solve and all the workloads and worries charged against me at once. My mind was packed with lots of things yet empty. I nearly suffered a breakdown. Tears nearly fell.

I had the intention of not going for Foundation Class and Youth Fellowship because I did not feel like doing anything. I knew that it would not help by staying at home, doing nothing. I knew God wanted to speak to me despite me shutting my eyes and my heart. I went - without bringing my heart.

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is God

Be still

Be speechless

There was a 30 minutes worship at 1pm but I was supposed to meet Huiying from 12pm till 1.15pm. Huiying appeared at 1pm to inform me she has to arrange another day with me. Perhaps it was God's plan as He spoke to me during the 30 minutes of worship.

The first song was "Be still and know". I did not have the mood or intention to worship (I was being led by feelings). When I bowed down to pray, the song spoke to me. I was reminded that I need to be still. There is a need for stillness because the voices of the world are so loud that I cannot hear, adore, worship God anymore.

I left straight after YF as I felt the need to straighten things out with God - I went for a jog. On my journey to Sheares bridge, I asked God and myself many questions. I asked for peace so that I could be focused, so that I will be able to see clearly. I was slightly refreshed.

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still

As it is a battle against the world, it takes time to be resolved. Though it is true that the battle has already been won, it takes perseverance for one to practise daily denial of self and daily surrender to the Lord.

There is a longing only You can fill
A raging temptest only You can still
My soul is thirsty Lord
To know You as I'm known
Drink from the river
That flows before your throne

Take me deeper
Deeper in love with You
Jesus hold me close in Your embrace
Take me deeper
Deeper than I've ever been before
I just want to love You more and more
How I long to be deeper in love

Sunrise to sunrise
I will seek Your face
Drawn by the Spirit
To the promise of Your grace
My heart has found in You
A hope that will abide
Here in Your presence
Forever satisfied

It is indeed a raging tempest, only He can still.