Being Still

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

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:41-42

I have found myself mesmerized by this momma cat. I have been engrossed in watching her and her natural instincts. She hid her kittens as newborns. As they became mobile, she moved them to different location where they could roam and explore but still be safe. She leaves them, cares for herself, but always returns to nurse and care of her offspring. She instinctively knows when to react and protect and also knows when to just be. These babies know when momma is near and naturally navigate to her presence.

No one had to tell her how to be a cat. No one "taught" her how to care for her kittens. She just does what she was created to do. No frills. No fuss. She is just a cat doing cat things.

Martha had the best of intentions, but Mary chose a relationship. She chose to just sit at Jesus' feet. Mary listened and worshipped. In that moment she decided to just be exactly who God called her to be. A daughter. A friend. Jesus praised her for that, and said that what Mary chose would not be taken from her. There is something so poetic and intimate about that. It draws me in and touches the depths of my soul.

Maybe being still in His presence is where we find effortless peace. Maybe this is where we can give ourselves permission to just be who we were created to be and let that be enough. I wonder if we put stillness at the forefront of our priorities, how that might permeate into every area of our lives.

Would it not be wonderful to just be a daughter of the King doing Kingdom things, not in our strength, but in His?