A couple of years ago, I heard the Lord say this phrase in prayer, ‘Be Still, I will de-still.’ I was sure de-still wasn’t a word, not that the Lord is limited to our vocabulary. But as I wrote it down, it dawned on me the word was distill. ‘Be still, I will distill.’ Besides gallons of water in the grocery store, the only distilling reference I could think was from The Andy Griffith Show when two little ladies made moonshine with an illegal distillery. That wasn’t applicable, obviously, so I did a little research.
Here is an overly simplified explanation, but to distill is to purify a liquid by making it a vapor and then gathering it into droplets. Distilling is an intentional process, but the idea presents itself in nature, too. For example, humidity in the air (like a vapor) gathers on tree leaves as droplets or dew. On certain mornings, when everything is just right, you can hear the trees dripping with it. It’s a lovely thing.
So I asked the Lord what he was speaking to me with this phrase. What does be still and I will distill mean? I felt him say, “I will gather what you can’t see and make it plain. All you have to do is be still and know that I am God.”
This word came when the Lord was stirring some dreams, movements, and shifts in my heart that were hard to get my head around. They didn’t make sense logistically. I have tried to remain still before the Lord with these stirrings. When something was made clear and plain, like dew drops, I acted on it. It hasn’t been easy or natural. And I certainly haven’t been perfect at it. I’ve moved ahead of the Lord and had to back up. I was slow to move at times and had to catch up. In those moments, I was learning from him while yoked under his strong arm. I continue to learn with every step and every flinch that has to be stilled.
It feels important to mention that being still isn’t a punishment. It isn’t like a toddler trying to control all their emotions and energy in a time-out chair. When God asks us to be still, he invites us into intimacy with him. Being still isn’t really the point. The point is to know that God is God. And, well, friends, the only way we can learn that is to get still before him and behold him. There is knowing in the stillness.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
What seems impossible, improbable, and formless, God will gather. He will show us and make himself plain. God makes the call clear. He is dripping with presence.
I hope you are encouraged today. Don’t beat yourself up in the learning. You’re growing into maturity and in the knowledge of Jesus. If life feels too still, don’t take the bait and move without God. In a non-cliche kind of way, God’s timing is beautiful. Meanwhile, we have a promise to know him. That’s Incredible!
Brave Sparrow 