I know after the weather we had this past week; this next statement may be met with some opposition: I LOVE SNOW. There is something very special when the snow is falling and wrapping everything in a beautiful blanket of white. I love to go outside at night when the flakes are flying and just watch and listen. Are you amazed at how quiet it is? There is a stillness that snow brings. Did you know that it really IS QUIETER after a good snowstorm? According to scientists, snow is made of ice crystals, which have space between them. These open spaces absorb sound waves, creating that serene quiet that happens right after a snowstorm. One study found that just 2 inches of snow can absorb 60% of sound waves. The lighter and fluffier the snow, the better it will be at absorbing sound waves. Isn’t God amazing? He knows we need peace and quiet, so he finds many ways to give it to us. It makes me think of Mark 4:39 when the storm is raging and Jesus says, “Peace, be still.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m not good at being still. I tend to be an on-the-go person. I’m not happy unless I’m moving. However, God through His Word tells us to “Be still” (Psalm 46:10 and Exodus 14:14). Why? Scripture says its so that we can know Him and let HIM do His work.
January is a hard month for many people. We come down off the highs of Christmas parties, presents, and pageants. We rest for a few days and then we are hit with the hum-drum of January. Mentally, it can be a depressing time. But what if we leaned into this idea of being still, of sitting quietly and watching God work and move?
What if instead of being busy with many things, we were like Mary and chose the one thing that is better (Luke 10:42) - sitting at Jesus’ feet and getting to know Him? What if we took the spotlight off of what we are accomplishing and shine a light on what God is doing in us and all around us?
In our seasons of STILLness we need to realize that God is STILL working.
Sometimes when we are in a time of silence or quietness, we feel like God is not doing anything. I believe the opposite of that is true. I think of the silence that came between that terrible Friday and the resurrection Sunday. God was raising Jesus, conquering death, saving mankind…but the followers only saw darkness and heard only silence. It seems like God does some of His most amazing work in the dark, quiet moments. So, this month, when it gets dark before dinner time and you’re tempted to get “down” in all the down-time, remind yourself that in the STILLness God is STILL working. His people are STILL serving. The Kingdom is STILL moving forward!! Pray for open eyes to see His hand in all the things going on around you. Expect that He is working all things for good. Be still and KNOW that He is God – and be ready – He may need you to get moving!
Ministry Spotlight:
This past month…
· 90 seniors got food boxes
· 589 people received food at our giveaway, 155 skids of food and over 100,000 pounds of food was given
· Over 100 volunteers came from North Canton City Schools, Walsh University, Malone University, Hoover High School, First Friends Youth Group, and Grand Central Church of Christ to help with the food giveaway
· Teens met every Sunday for Bible study and fellowship
· 304 backpacks of food were given to local schools each week this month
Still
I know after the weather we had this past week; this next statement may be met with some opposition: I LOVE SNOW. There is something very special when the snow is falling and wrapping everything in a beautiful blanket of white. I love to go outside at night when the flakes are flying and just watch and listen. Are you amazed at how quiet it is? There is a stillness that snow brings. Did you know that it really IS QUIETER after a good snowstorm? According to scientists, snow is made of ice crystals, which have space between them. These open spaces absorb sound waves, creating that serene quiet that happens right after a snowstorm. One study found that just 2 inches of snow can absorb 60% of sound waves. The lighter and fluffier the snow, the better it will be at absorbing sound waves. Isn’t God amazing? He knows we need peace and quiet, so he finds many ways to give it to us. It makes me think of Mark 4:39 when the storm is raging and Jesus says, “Peace, be still.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m not good at being still. I tend to be an on-the-go person. I’m not happy unless I’m moving. However, God through His Word tells us to “Be still” (Psalm 46:10 and Exodus 14:14). Why? Scripture says its so that we can know Him and let HIM do His work.
January is a hard month for many people. We come down off the highs of Christmas parties, presents, and pageants. We rest for a few days and then we are hit with the hum-drum of January. Mentally, it can be a depressing time. But what if we leaned into this idea of being still, of sitting quietly and watching God work and move?
What if instead of being busy with many things, we were like Mary and chose the one thing that is better (Luke 10:42) - sitting at Jesus’ feet and getting to know Him? What if we took the spotlight off of what we are accomplishing and shine a light on what God is doing in us and all around us?
In our seasons of STILLness we need to realize that God is STILL working.
Sometimes when we are in a time of silence or quietness, we feel like God is not doing anything. I believe the opposite of that is true. I think of the silence that came between that terrible Friday and the resurrection Sunday. God was raising Jesus, conquering death, saving mankind…but the followers only saw darkness and heard only silence. It seems like God does some of His most amazing work in the dark, quiet moments. So, this month, when it gets dark before dinner time and you’re tempted to get “down” in all the down-time, remind yourself that in the STILLness God is STILL working. His people are STILL serving. The Kingdom is STILL moving forward!! Pray for open eyes to see His hand in all the things going on around you. Expect that He is working all things for good. Be still and KNOW that He is God – and be ready – He may need you to get moving!
Ministry Spotlight:
This past month…
· 90 seniors got food boxes
· 589 people received food at our giveaway, 155 skids of food and over 100,000 pounds of food was given
· Over 100 volunteers came from North Canton City Schools, Walsh University, Malone University, Hoover High School, First Friends Youth Group, and Grand Central Church of Christ to help with the food giveaway
· Teens met every Sunday for Bible study and fellowship
· 304 backpacks of food were given to local schools each week this month
“Glorify God and Show Him to Others”