The Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico was an adventure with God. The ride down 84/285 [285, I thought I left Atlanta] was beautiful. The further I drove the more removed from everyday life I became. It was as if I was being transported back in time to the Wild West. The mountains were breath taking and the colors were various shades of browns, reds, and golds. The other thing I noticed was the quiet. The hustle and bustle of city life was far removed from the land and the people.
I thought my purpose for going to Ghost Ranch was to work on my craft of writing. While I did participate in the workshops, meet with publishers and learn from the pros, my real purpose in going to the Ghost Ranch, which we referred to as the Holy Ghost Ranch, was revealed to me soon enough.
My cabin assignment wasn’t in the hustle and bustle of the ranch where many people I knew were staying. My cabin assignment was on the very top of the mountain…alone…where it’s quiet…and the earth is still. The first day, the quiet almost hurt my ears it was so deafening. It was then I discovered my purpose…Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Look closely at the verse and the punctuation. If you notice, there is a coma after “Be still” to cause us to pause. My time at the ranch was filled with moments of pause. The Lord took me away from my cell phone, away from my computer, away from my relationships with family and friends, so I would learn to pause and be still and soak in His presence.
Do you take time to be still before the Lord? I thought I did. I thought reading through my devotions and even diving in the Word of God to prepare for messages or writing was connecting with Him on a deeper level. This past week, however, I learned to “Be still” in His presence like never before…so still, the only sound you hear is your own heartbeat…the very heartbeat you take for granted day in and day out becasue you never get quiet enough for it to be the only sound in your ears…and then you begin to know -truly KNOW He is God! Take time today to sit before Him. “Be still and know!”