May 22, 2000

Dear Friends,

Pastor Maggie and I have been friends for a long time. The other day she and I were chatting.

"Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck" (Psalm 69:1).

"I feel like I’m stuck," said Pastor Maggie, "like I am up to my neck in quicksand. I can’t move. I can’t go forward. I can’t go back. I can’t turn around. I can’t even move my arms. I’m just stuck."

"Be still and know that I am God . . . " (Psalm 46:10)

How well do I recognized that feeling. I’m sure you do, too. It is the feeling we all get when we’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to work.

"Maybe," I said, "the Lord just wants you to be still."

". . . stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord . . ." (Exodus 14:13)

Sometimes, the Lord does want us to be still. He has something to say to us. He has words of wisdom and guidance and comfort for us.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"Stand still," said Pastor Maggie. "That is all I can do. I know that God will save me."

"They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength . . ." (Isaiah 40:31)

WAIT. As a child, I’m sure you remember trying to wait for Christmas, or even worse, trying to be still in church. Sometimes, it is just plain hard to do. And yet, that is actually what the Lord asks of us: Wait . . . be still.

they will not overflow you. (Isaiah 42:2, in part)

"Aren’t you afraid of drowning?" I asked Pastor Maggie.

"No. No, not at all," replied Pastor Maggie. "The truth is, I feel safe."

"Safe?!"

". . . fear not for I am with thee . . ." (Genesis 26:24)

"Yes. Safe. I may be up to my neck in quicksand," said Pastor Maggie, "but my feet are planted on a solid foundation." In the words of that old hymn, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." [Praise His Name!]

In the Master’s Love,

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