Striving & Being Still

When I was 4 I didn’t play in the kitchen for fun. Instead, I was the head of my own company, called “The Chicken Shack” (thank God my marketing skills have improved since then) and I would implore my mom to place orders from my restaurant.

When I was ten, I started a dog-walking business. Sure, I only had one client, but I did only ask two neighbors. I had a beautiful flyer with a clip-art dog on it, and an email address made just for my “clients.” I ended up walking one dog that year, but successfully built a small brand for my ten-year-old self.

Honestly, I did not notice this pattern until the last few weeks. Apparently, I’m wired this way. How fortunate I am that my gifts and pursuits allow me to continue my self motivation from my Chicken Shack days, my affinity for designing flyers from my dog walking days, and now – my passion for artistry and storytelling in photography.

Although it seems I have always been in on the hustle of staying current with my clients (my mom really needed chicken, I guess) lately I have been a little overwhelmed with the rapid changes of running a business. Normal habits for me in social media are now becoming obsolete as Facebook changes business requirements. I’ve been tossing around a few new advertising ideas as a result, and am beginning to rethink my other modes of social media. I met with my sister-in-law, friend, and fellow small-business runner Lauren today and found that we had both been thinking over these changes. During the course of our conversation we consoled ourselves with the truth that there are more important things in our lives than business. We are both business-inclined artists, but we also both recognize where our priorities lie.

As I reflect on my thoughts from the past few weeks on this subject, I am reminded of the Lord’s call on me to be still. You may be familiar with the verse I’m referring to – Psalm 46:10 in the NIV version says “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Another translation says “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Whoa. “Cease striving.”“But I’ll fall behind! I’ll become obsolete! People will forget my work!”

“I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

It’s hitting me like a load of bricks. God’s promises hold true, that He will be exalted whether or not I book weddings this year. He will be exalted whether or not my logo is trendy. He will be exalted by my choice to put Him first in life. I can rest in knowing that His will for my life is bigger than my striving – and I am so thankful that I can find rest in that tonight.