Road to the Desert – Be Still Moments

Be Still in Phoenix

My last blog teed up what I’d been calling “be still” moments I experienced while vacationing a few days in the Phoenix, Arizona area with Chris and my younger son. To me, a be still moment is just taking a pause and focusing for a minute on God and his awesome presence, no matter the circumstances. When Moses killed an Egyptian and fled for the desert in a hurry (Exodus 3), no longer as a prince but as a fugitive, God had him stop and be still for a few moments, and then he spoke to Moses through a fiery blazing shrub. When Elijah killed the prophets of Baal and then ran into the desert fearing the wrath of Jezebel (1 Kings 19), God had him be still and then spoke to him through a still, small voice or gentle whisper. I haven’t killed anyone recently, but I needed some time in the desert and some be-still moments.

First “Be Still” Moment

To be truthful, one of my most poignant “be still” moments was within an hour after we arrived in Phoenix in a Walmart parking lot. Our awaiting vacation villa needed supplies for the week, and as most travelers, we forgot stuff. The be still moment occurred when Chris turned me out of the front passenger seat of the rented minivan, preparing to flop me into my awaiting wheelchair. There was no icy or snow-packed landing spot for my sneakers, no arctic blast piercing through the goose down layers into my bones, only dry, warm pavement and a 68-degree waft of caressing desert air frothing my hair and relaxing muscles accustomed to bracing for frostbite. We sat, laughed, and praised God in that parking spot, acknowledging his hand again in this moment. There were no audible voices from fiery bushes, but we knew God was with us. He even gave us a sign in the form of a welcoming party: everyone else in the parking lot appeared to be the same generation as us, sporting spandex, gray hair with some shades of blue, Velcro shoes, canes, and walkers. None of us cared about any of our limitations; we had good weather. And I had the added inward nudge to be still. 

Other Be Still Moments

Our next few days flew by as we tried to find more be still moments to absorb before heading back to the North Pole. My life for the past twenty months or so had been a raging conflict. Continuing the Spirit’s guidance on my soul, I embraced Psalm 46, a sort of parallel story of my plight. The ancient psalmist, much like our world today, was living in a time of nations in crisis. In so many words, this psalm may describe things we go through on this planet: “Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; and the earth melts [yet] the Lord of Hosts is with us, our fortress, open your eyes and look at his works, he makes wars to cease, be still and know that he is God.” I continued to look for these moments and experienced several within a minute of wheelchair rolling; poolside soaking up desert sun in capris and short-sleeve shirts. 

Side Trips

Some amazing "be still" experiences occurred during van explorations or side trips. You could say we had a carefree attitude, so much so that one morning, we decided to take a side trip into the hills to Carefree. We parked at the sundial and experienced a great local breakfast and consignment stores, a fancy Arizona metaphor for thrift stores. Another side trip was to South Mountain, one of the highest spots in the Phoenix area, where we purchased some beautiful Navajo jewelry and enjoyed stunning views and peaceful vistas of the entire Phoenix Valley and surrounding mountains. A final side trip was quite the surprise.

Surprise

We headed west on this particular side trip to the community of Surprise. We enjoyed a be-still moment in the company of close Grand Forks friends, poolside, getting in a venge-match of euchre and experiencing a part of Phoenix we had never visited. The quiet community nestles at the base of the White Tank Mountains, and our son did an afternoon hike in that range while we battled to 10 points. Later, we all ate lasagna and apple pie as the desert coolness settled in, both of those dinner staples having come from Walmart. I have learned that God’s “be still” moments can come to us in many forms if we are open and aware of his working in and among us. Be still might be time enjoying his presence resident in others or sitting quietly enjoying his creation tapestry. Whatever the case, I was taking time to be still.

Reflection on Be Still

From all outside appearances, one could say I wasn’t very still during these five short days among sage and cactus. In reality, I was experiencing monastic silence in my heart. Envision the once enslaved Israelite nation, freed, but trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, one of the fiercest armies of that time. God tells them to stop screaming, stop panicking, stop letting fear grip their souls, stop wanting to run the other way, and face the enemy and be still. Our world might have Red Sea interruptions; I know mine has. I’ve been “hearing” in my heart to rest, not only at the poolside in Scottsdale but most importantly in my heart, trusting the Almighty, letting go of fear, panic, worry, the humility of being cared for, and doubts about tomorrow’s challenges. Being still in the Lord means he is present; he engulfs us with his protection, brings helpers skilled in creating stillness, and infuses our inner being with strength and peace we didn’t know could ever be possible, given our earthly resources. Whatever our situation, like Moses, like Elijah, and like the Psalmist, let's be still.