ZPCBlog

About the author: Emily Elmore and her husband Ryan have been attending ZPC for seven years, just a year after they moved to Zionsville. They have three boys, Lucas, Connor, and Graham, who have all grown up at Noah's Ark Childcare and Preschool. Emily is involved at ZPC as a Deacon, regularly volunteers for VBS in the summer, and enjoys fellowship with her Home Group. She is a marketer for Indiana University and loves to run in her free time, supporting the World Vision ministry. 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Being still. Sitting still. As a mom of three with a full-time life, I believe I may have engineered a schedule where I can avoid this at all cost. Why? Because sitting still means I have to feel. To be. To process. To rely on others. To be reminded how very little control I have. 

As an action-oriented person, it’s quite painful to rest. Especially during this time of year, where I’d rather be helping others and doing all of the things. 

Yet, every year Advent comes and I reminded that we serve a God who wants all of us, not just a sliver. I can’t expect to have the relationship I desire with God, or be the person he wants me to be, if I am not leaving space for him to simply exist and take root in my life and daily thoughts. 

God wants our time and attention. Unlike the common messages we get in this world where busyness is seen as heroic, the Lord knows the only way our faith, and the fruits of the spirit take root, is if we slow down and rest.

This is what Advent means to me. Intentional time to be reminded of the God who has always fought for us. 

We see this time and time again throughout the Bible. In today’s verse, Exodus 14:14, we learn it is written for the Israelites as Moses is leading them out of Egypt. The Israelites are weary and scared, not knowing if the miracle of the Red Sea will ever happen. They want to give up. Many don’t believe God’s promise of freedom. 

Moses then answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”

The Red Sea finally parts - God delivers on his promise. 

While this specific passage was a promise God made to the Israelites, not to us, it’s again a steady reminder for me of just how similar I am to the Israelites. On the daily, I worry about the tomorrow. I grow weary and lose hope. I don’t allow myself to feel. And, I think I have to figure it all out. But, there’s hope. I can choose to rest in God. He wants that for me. 

Prayer:

Lord,
We are thankful for your constant reminders in life. And, for this Advent season full of reflection, and the invitation to rest and reflect in you.
Amen

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