In The Stillness

Hey there friend! 

I pray that this blog post finds you well! As always if you need anything or have a prayer request, please do not hesitate to reach out via Whatsapp, Instagram, or use the contact me page on my blog! It would be my honor to pray for you! 

Upon arriving, this quickly become one of my favorite views here in Nicoya. 

As I am writing this, it is my team’s last day of ministry here. The last 10 days have brought so much growth and healing for not only my team but me personally as well. I have found myself frequently sitting in awe of the change and growth I see in myself. I’m not only talking about from the beginning of the race till now, but just through this season here in Nicoya. 

During my quiet time, upon arriving here, I heard the Lord tell me that he had so much for me in the stillness.

At the time, I had no idea what that meant, but now I can clearly see and oh was that true! It was in the stillness that…

• He walked me through forgiving several people who had hurt me. 
• He showed me what it looks like to deeply commune with him each day whether I am sitting with my Bible open or doing ministry. 
• He took my team to a full new level of sisterhood and growth. 
• He gave me a deep desire to know him more. 
• He gave me time to grieve and time to dance. 
• He gave me a deeper understanding of why salvation is by grace not works. 
• He showed me how important it is to know my Bible so I can teach what I am learning. 
• He showed me that people will come to know Him by the way I live as a testament to His goodness.

I see now that it is in the moments when the voices of social media, opinions of others and the noise of chaos are taken away that I truly can be closest to the Lord. I am no longer distracted by things of this world, but able to sit in the Lords presence and hear His voice more clearly. 

It isn’t always realistic to be able to go on a missions trip, put your life on pause to go into the mountains or on a hike to get away from the physical noise. Yet, what does it look like to create space for stillness and hearing the Lord’s voice in your everyday life? Would you shut your phone off for an hour to sit in the Lord’s presence? Would you get up at 5 am when your house is quiet to be close to your Father? 

Matthew 16:24

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “if anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”

 This verse is something I have reflected on a lot over the last month or so. We are called to deny ourselves. To throw off every selfish or self centered desire in order to follow Christ with our whole hearts. This commandment was not given lightly, but we are self centered creatures and we cannot be effective for the kingdom if we are living with one foot in the world feeding our selfish desires and one foot with Christ trying to chase after him.

Prior to Jesus telling the disciples to take up their cross, Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

 If the Bible so clearly states that we can’t serve masters, than why have we fallen into the belief that we can serve our selfish desires and God at the same time? We will be devoted to one and not the other. We can’t live in both world’s and even if we could, why would we want to? God desires our time and our devotion and is so insanely worthy of that and all of our praise. 

So the question lies, are you willing to deny yourself and chase wholeheartedly after Christ? Are you willing to meet him in the stillness? 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers as I continue on this journey! I wish you the happiest of new years this year! 

With love,

Kalyssa