Learning to Be Still: What God Has Been Showing Me Lately

Lately, I’ve been noticing something in my life that feels too consistent to ignore.

It didn’t come all at once. It has been building quietly through small moments, conversations, and even things I didn’t think were connected at the time. When I step back, I can see a clear thread.

God has been slowing me down.

Not in a forced or frustrating way, but in a way that gently reminds me that I don’t have to carry everything.

The Invitation to Rest

This past Sunday, the message was on Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I have heard that verse many times, but this time it felt personal. Not just encouraging, but inviting me to respond.

I started to notice how much of my life had been lived in a quiet hurry. Not always outwardly, but internally. Always thinking ahead, always trying to keep up, always wanting to do things well. Underneath that was a subtle belief that I could handle it all on my own.

But that is not what Jesus asks of us. He asks us to come to Him.

Where Are You?

Another verse that has stayed with me is Genesis 3:9:

“Where are you?”

God was not asking Adam because He didn’t know. He was inviting him out of hiding.

I have been asking myself that same question. Where am I? Am I present and aware, or am I just moving from one thing to the next?

If I stay busy enough, I can miss what God is doing right in front of me.

A Lesson from Chess

This past weekend, my kids were playing chess with me, and it struck me how much that game reflects the kind of life I feel God is calling me into.

You cannot rush chess. You have to slow down, pay attention, and stay present. Every move matters. There is intention and awareness in each step.

It made me realize how I want to live. Not rushed or reactive, but present and thoughtful.

The People God Brings

Over the past couple of years, I’ve noticed something else.

God keeps bringing people into my life—families from Switzerland, Germany, and most recently a dear family from China who are still learning English but deeply desire connection. Alongside that, there have been so many families in our community we’ve been able to pour into.

They are drawn to our home and to our family, and I know that is not by accident.

I did not plan it or seek it out, but I have been available enough to notice it.

And that keeps standing out to me. If I stay too busy, I miss this.

Hurry and Presence

There is a quote by Dallas Willard that has stayed with me:

“Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day.”

That feels true. Hurry does not just affect our schedules. It affects our awareness. It makes us less present, less attentive, and less available. Without realizing it, we can become people who are doing a lot while missing what matters most.

What I’m Learning

I am learning that rest is not laziness. It is obedience. Slowing down is not stepping back. It is stepping into alignment. Being present with people is not a distraction. It is often the work itself.

Most importantly, I am learning that I do not need to prove anything. I need to stay connected.

What Will I Do With This?

At the end of the sermon, the question was simple. What are you going to do with this?

For me, the answer is still unfolding, but I know I want to choose presence over pressure, stillness over hurry, and connection over constant output.

I want to be the kind of person who notices when God is moving, not the kind who is too busy to see it.

A Gentle Encouragement

If you have been feeling stretched or quietly overwhelmed, I want to remind you that Jesus is not asking you to carry more.

He is inviting you to come closer, to slow down, and to be still.

You might be surprised what is already right in front of you.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10