Be Still

Yesterday, something really interesting happened.

It was my sister and I's week to play special music for my church, which is basically just where someone sings a short song to get everyone ready to hear the message. (Music really does prepare the heart.) At the last minute the night before, we decided to switch our song to "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." It's an old hymn, but we are nothing if not sassy, so we made it more folky with some kind of hyper acoustic guitar.

It was interesting because this song is exactly what I've been needing to hear lately. I'm by nature a very anxious person, but God has been singing songs of peace and rest over me this week. This verse has been my battle cry:

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

And I can't forget my life verses:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

What was especially cool was that the worship band, unbeknownst to us, had picked the very same song to share with everyone!! My pastor chuckled as he walked back up to the pulpit at the end of the service and remarked that God must really be trying to say something to us all about rest. So often I try to live in my own strength, but that only exhausts me because I can do nothing on my own. I can't even make my heart beat.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.