It’s not that I haven’t written. I have. Post after post that I didn’t post. One or two that I did, then removed, dissatisfied—with what they said, or how they said it, or… just with writing, writing, writing…
Written myself into a corner, perhaps I have. Burnt my inner writer out! Or… run low on goodly fuel.
Ah, I think that’s it.
It’s not that ideas are lacking. My head’s been teeming with them. But the work’s been flesh, just too much flesh, and what I need is oil that burns, clean and clear and strong, igniting all those wooden thoughts together, or one by one.
And the Holy Spirit is the oil. And I am the lamp. And this lamp needs fresh filling. By stilling.
On Still Saturday, as snow falls beautiful and silent all around my nest of rest, I draw aside to wait for Him, for fuel, for filling. Stilling.
*****
Linked to
Well, I think you have it now! Love the stillness and photos of snow, the meaning and struggle behind the words…
Yes, Gayle. Sometimes when we’re struggling hardest is the time to stop and rest in Him, and then everything falls into its right place, and we can see and think clearly once more. I ought to know that by now… 😉
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. And God’s rich blessings on your new year.
Sylvia, I have missed your voice out here in the blogosphere….but I completely understand. Oh, Jesus, let all our words be light bringers for your glory, powered by your Spirit.
So good to hear from you!
I have done this to myself many times. It really is so important to still and seek after Him, wait upon Him. Blessings to you, dear friend!
And so good to hear from you, too, Jody! What a good prayer! Thank you for it.
May 2013 be a very blessed year for you.
It’s so easy to fall into lots of doing, doing, doing in the flesh, isn’t it, Mary? I should know by now that when the gears are grinding, I need to quit driving ahead, no matter what the “important” project is that I’m about, and stop for “oil” and wait for His timing. And that goes for mental efforts at least as much as physical.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you’re getting a bit of “down” time now, too.
Love the pictures…and the need for refueling.
Glad to meet you via Still Saturday!
Hi Melanie,
Glad to meet you, too! I did some poking around on your blog and gleaned some valuable thoughts to hold tight. Hope to see you next Still Saturday!
Ahh, something we all can use, refueling. Great idea.
Stillness is certainly refreshing at times, especially post holiday, so enjoy.
Sometimes, Sylvia, I think we just need to write about nothing, just let everyone know that it’s a cup-of-tea chat, nothing theological and deep, nothing heart wrenching or gestaultish. I have separated my posts into 1)the posts and 2)tHe posts. The latter being Spririt-inspired. The others are just simple sharing and “hey, I’m still here and I want you to know it”. When days go by and I don’t post, unlike you, I simply didn’t write and I’m not being still. You remind me that I must work this in somehow. Happy New Year!
Dawn, I love that “tHe posts.” That’s what I want my posts to be. But you’re right (I started typing “you’re write” hah): sometimes it’s good just to jot down sweet nothings to let others know we’re still here. I think this post was really that. At least that’s how it started.
Well, I’m still here, though truth is, sometimes I just don’t want to bother checking in, either!
And I’m glad you’re here as well! Thank you for your good thoughts. Special blessings on your new year!
Thanks, Sue. So glad to see you here! Hope your Christmastime held special blessings. You’re right. This little interval right after Christmas is often when we badly need that refreshment. Kind of ironic, but true!
Hope you get a bit of such, and have a happy and prosperous new year!
I agree with Dawn, Sylvia… I can relate to what you are saying and there is truth about waiting on Him and not just trying to “fill space.” But sometimes I find myself being too self critical of my writing, wanting it to always be superior or just so beautiful for Him, but then missing out on the sweet tea moments Dawn is mentioning… Just sharing heart in the moment. God does seem to inspire tHE posts when He wants to. And He still shines through the ones we don’t always feel are “adequate” or maybe seem to miss the mark. (I’m often amazed that those are the ones that seem to touch people when I never thought they would. God using them beyond the actual words, I think.) As you wait on Him in stillness, I know He will speak in and through you… 🙂 as He always does…
Beautiful post, Sylvie. He must fill and anoint. He must supply fresh vision. Give Him your wick. Give Him your empty cup. Give Him your eyes. He will ignite, fill, and light the darkness. He is your everything, and it shows.
God bless you and your writing for Him in 2013.
Lynn
I know how you feel… When it’s from the flesh it never satisfies the empty spot inside that can only be filled with the gratification of His spirit. His calling fulfilled.
Your words have been good. Strong, but if it doesn’t fill your Holy hole within, He isn’t honored. May we all do that with all that belongs to Him to begin with.
Hi Pam,
Thanks for your good thoughts. Yes, I am often too self-critical, too, and perfectionistic. I have also experienced the reality of what you said about “the [writings] that seem to touch people when I never thought they would. God using them beyond the actual words, I think.” I think so, too, that He uses our inadequate words just as well as our well-honed ones. So it’s not good to be over-fussy.
That’s one side of my reluctance. The other is not wanting to go rushing ahead of God. I used to think I was pretty circumspect that way, but recent reviewing of my Christian life has shown me that I have often leapt first and consulted God afterward (like with starting blogging in the first place!) And words are both powerful and open to misinterpretation that can hurt instead of help. But “disappearing” from the blogosphere for an unexplained stretch can leave people wondering, and guessing wrong interpretations, too.
So a balance, I guess, is what’s needed. Thank you so much for your comments, and prayers I know you’ve prayed. Much joy in the Lord to you in 2013!
Lynn, I love that “Give Him your wick.” Yes, He is both the One Who refuels and ignites.
And, yes, also fills. I did feel this week as if I had exhaled so much I needed to inhale spiritually before I tried anymore exhaling! But today was a lovely day of inhaling His richness and rest. Ah-h-h! And now I feel like I have something to exhale! 🙂
You’ve hit it, Floyd! I think that God-shaped vacuum within each of us that Augustine wrote about is not just filled at our conversion to Christ, but something that afterward gets used up and emptied out, bit by bit, unless we go to Him for filling anew, again and again. And that involves not just stilling, but also seeking to obey and honor Him “with all that belongs to Him to begin with,” and not just *get* for ourselves. Our mere fleshly efforts eventually exhaust us. But what’s done in, through, and by His Spirit’s working can actually energize and help refuel us, too! Thanks for your comment!
To all:
I just feel so blessed by this rich wealth of encouraging comments, from so many different angles. This kind of thing is a big part of the beauty in Christian blogging community. I feel surrounded by a warm fellowship group! I never knew about this when I started blogging. What a blessing!
Thank you all, much. And God bless you, “every one,” in the new year ahead!
And believe me, Sylvie, we are blessed by those who gather us together. Thank you so much for spreading a God-inspired feast!
Blessings,
Lynn
So true. I keep trying remember, day by day, that HE is the Only One Who can make my writing, serving, doing, being occur successfully in our world or prep for His World.
Thank you. Good processing laid on my present-day plate.
Yes, Joanne, so very true. Blessings to you and your present-day plate, and any new plates in the new year!
I, too, understand this spinning of the wheels. I’m so grateful for your voice, Sylvia. May your new year be filled with sweet blessings!
Thank you, Laura. It’s so good to read your comment here. I’m so grateful for your link-up, and for God getting me somehow to it. Much beautiful blessing to you and yours in this new year, too!