The other evening I stood on the ridge which my little Appalachian home rests on, looking over the river valley that winds its way through the darkened relief of the hills that surround me. Gazing across this expanse I was deeply moved by the stillness in the air that night. The Christmas holiday season was still fresh in my memory and I recalled the words of a song we had sung during the preceding week, “It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old…” Standing over that river valley, I felt a deep stillness envelope me. There was an immense peace present over the land at the moment. I found myself wondering if the shepherds who were living in the fields nearby Bethlehem had experienced such a moment of stillness prior to the nighttime sky being shaken by an angel of the Lord announcing the coming of the Christ child.
It seems that often in my life moments of stillness precede dramatic events. Sometimes this is because I have completed preparations for an undertaking and find myself patiently waiting for the moment of action. But most times this condition of quiet contemplation seems to come almost unannounced, as if the Lord is silently drawing my attention to the moment at hand, clearing my mind of the clutter that the world would use to distract my thoughts. As I stood on that hilltop, I found myself deeply absorbed in the stillness of the winter evening, recalling the words of Psalm 46:10; “Be still and know that I am God…”
Why is the act of “stillness” so difficult for us? Even in this so-called “laid back” area of the south, I find busyness abounding. So often my requests to meet with someone are met with the familiar reply, “I’d love to, but I’m just so busy right now”. We don’t seem content unless we have a daily schedule that stretches us to the point of distraction. We find ourselves drawn toward continued activity, even in our moments of leisure. Rarely do you find someone who regularly “schedules” a period of stillness in their life. Even our times of daily Bible study, devotions, or whatever you term it, often become moments of accomplishment; how many verses or chapters we can read before scurrying out the door to work.
Reflecting back on the Christmas Carole that I referenced earlier, I considered the scene from that first Christmas evening. As I related, the shepherds had been confronted with a celestial event unlike anything they had ever experienced. The scripture tells us that “they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby…” (Luke 2:16). We then see them busying themselves with spreading the news of this amazing event. But notice Mary’s response to all the activity of the moment. “… Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (verse 19). She had just delivered a baby, conceived in an unbelievable manner, in some of the most difficult of circumstances, only to find a group of socially alienated people standing in her birthing room at the direction of an angel. Mary stood on the threshold of the most dramatic event to unfold since the creation of the world… and I believe she found herself in “stillness”.
As Rita and I began the New Year by praying for the part we play in Hills and Hollers Ministries, I sensed the Lord saying, “This will be a year of definition!” We have been through a prolonged period of preparation as we have settled into this Appalachian region and watched as the Lord established our ministry within the community. I have gained a new understanding of what “Church” is really supposed to be and watched as God brought various people into our lives; some joining us in our ministry and others heading off to follow their own pursuits. These have been times of trial and difficulty, but I now find myself standing before our King… in stillness. I sense that this really will be the year in which we see the larger purpose for abandoning our past lives of relative comfort and undertaking this mission. I find myself pondering in my heart the events of the last three years and treasuring the experiences we’ve had; even the heartbreaks.
Of course, activity is ever present in our lives. Our calendar is completely booked with summer mission teams joining us in ministry. We continue to reach out to the impoverished of this area, using the resources that the Lord has brought to us to bring a fresh understanding of God’s Great Love to a people who so desperately need it. We are providing improved housing, food, clothing and relationship to those in need of these things. But through all this we are taking precious moments to be still before the Lord and ponder the manner in which He is moving. When things get a little too hectic, I find myself standing on that ridge behind my home again and gazing over the river valley; breathing in the stillness and breathing out a prayer of Thanksgiving to our Great God!
I hope that this New Year brings a special revelation of God’s purpose in each of your lives. Thank you for your continued interest in what we are doing here in the Hills and Hollers. Your support and encouragement gives us great strength. We pray that the year that lies ahead will be filled with wonderful moments for you to treasure, and ponder in your hearts.
Love, Jim and Rita
