On Being Still...

On this second day of the New Year...
It is time, once again, to give this New Year a name.... a word, because you see, for the past two years, I've chosen to focus on a One Word at the start of each new year and God has used each year's One Word to guide and steer me... for which I am truly grateful!

My One Word for 2012 was soar...

Soaring birds. Downtown Toronto, Summer 2011.

For 2013, my One Word was surrender... 

In a reflective mood and deep in thought. ~ Cape Cod, Summer 2012.

Words starting with the letter "S" must resonate with me a lot... 
... because my One Word for this year is: STILL 

"Still..."
In the days leading up to Christmas, I felt God saying to me, "Be still, and know that I am God!" --- it is the verse from Psalm 46:10 (NLT).

I looked up a few versions of the same verse and liked what I read...

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. - Amplified Bible.

Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God!" - Contemporary English Version.

Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. - God's Word Translation.

Cease striving and know that I am God. - New American Standard Bible.

Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. - The Voice.

Give ye attention, and see ye, that I am God. - Wycliffe Bible.

By the Christina River, Wilmington (Delaware). Summer 2013.
Being still and capturing the beauty of God's creation on camera.

I love creating beautiful images to post on Instagram. I've learned that to capture beautiful images, one must be still. Similarly, I think... in order for me to not miss the beautiful moments in my every-days, I must learn to let be and be still... and recognize and understand that He *is* God!

Then, beautiful God-stories will unfold as a result.

This tweet by Eugene Cho says it quite eloquently...

The best way to become a better storyteller is to simply live a better life. Your move.
— Eugene Cho (@EugeneCho) December 29, 2013

Yes, it's my move!

I am looking forward to being still and paying more attention to God... to my Jesus... and seeing beautiful stories unfold as a result this year.

As Ann Voskamp articulated so beautifully in her blog post earlier today...

The most important life skill to have in 2014 is to live aware that Jesus is the only life I have.

The most important skill to have in 2014 is paying attention to Jesus — nothing else is worth spending your one beautiful year on.

Just be with Jesus. Listen to Jesus. Rest in Jesus. Wait for Jesus. Be Loved by Jesus. Wonder over Jesus. Live through Jesus.

When who Jesus is overwhelms you — nothing that happens can overcome you.

Steep your soul in Jesus and nothing is too steep to overcome.

All there is to see is Jesus.

For others to see Jesus in me. For me to see Jesus in others.

And I couldn't agree more. Yes, it's my move. 2014, here I come!

Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!