Sustaining Both Striving and Stillness

In my life there is a regular cycle of busyness and times of rest. More often, busyness demands the need for these times of rest. Spiritually, I tend to do the same. My natural inclination is to find more to do, to learn more, and to study more. However, the need to rest in what the Lord is teaching and to sit in His presence becomes an important counterpoint to this frenzied state.

Scripture itself presents a call to press forward in good works and to be diligent to live a godly life. It also teaches us to be still in the Lord and to abide in Him. How do we as followers of Christ balance these two scriptural commands when they seem to be in opposition? As I look at the idea of striving and stillness, I wonder if they are not that different from each other when practically living them out.

Hebrews 6:1 states, “Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” Furthermore, 2 Peter 3:14 says, “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish and at peace.”  Both of these verses present the reader with the command to keep striving for maturity and to be without spot or blemish. We know from books like James that our faith should be followed by works that serve Christ and lead to holy lives.

How do we practically pursue these commands? We read God’s Word, we pray for His guidance and teaching in our life, and we depend on Him to continue working in us.

            Then there are verses such as Psalm 46:10 which states, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We even hear the words of Christ in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” In these verses, there is a call to seek the Lord and to be still and find rest in Him. There is a peaceful invitation to dwell in the presence of God. Psalm 46 tells of the works of God’s hand and His power among the nations. The verses in Matthew 11 invite people into a relationship with Him characterized by gentleness, rest, and an easing of burdens.

            Now, how do we practically pursue these commands? We read God’s Word, we pray thanksgiving over who God is, and we depend on Him to continue to work faithfully in the world and in us.

Both of these seemingly opposing commands are actually very similar in their practice and implementation. In both we are seeking to be dependent on the character of the Lord and His continual work in us as believers. Both striving and stillness require an action, and both require dependence on God and reflection on God.

Yes, we are striving. But maybe it is not in the back-breaking, demanding work we often put on ourselves. Maybe we are striving to see Christ more fully. So, yes, we work, but we work to know Christ more, to abide in Him more, to serve Him through utter dependence on Him.

Yes, we are still. But maybe it is not a complete move to inaction as the verb initially invokes. Maybe our stillness is an active trusting in God to accomplish His goals. So, yes, we are still, but we sit in who God is, seek to abide in Him, and trust in His almighty hand.

To conclude, I am encouraged by the knowledge that my spiritual life does not need to jump between the extremes of tireless striving and complete stillness. Although at times that may be the response to specific circumstances in life, my day to day can be filled with both. We can be still and know God’s omniscience, omnipresence, and sovereignty. We can dwell on the relationship with the Lord that gives rest. We can express our dependence on Him through learning from His Word and prayer. In doing so we strive to live holy lives according to our call, and we are still in the knowledge that God is in control of all things.

May we all seek dependence on Christ each day,
Alexis McKay