Be Still.

I know...I'm totally slacking on my blogging. My sincerest apologies. In my defense, my life has been a whirlwind in the past month. Which is where I begin with this post....

Junior year has transformed me into a crazy person. I have the hardest course load I have had thus far on top of working a fairly demanding job as my first job while being enrolled in school. I have studied every night since the semester started, and still felt completely overwhelmed during the first round of tests (that just ended tonight! *fist pump*).

It wasn't until last night while studying for my biological calculus exam that I actually stopped to think for a moment about how insane I was being. And it was a surreal moment. I was sitting in the library doing problem after problem, when the most wonderful, yet ordinary thing happened. Rain. (I guess it isn't very ordinary at this point since we are in a massive drought, with temperatures still in the 90's well into fall...but you get the point.) The most incredible lightening storm I have ever seen went on for about 30 minutes and all I could do was watch it in complete awe. I couldn't make myself do anything but just stare out the window. It was absolutely breathtaking. And at that moment, I remembered a Bible verse I came across the day before:

 "Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10

Like, whoa. It was one of the few, but precious times I can remember literally being so close to God I could almost touch him. For the first time in nearly a month I was completely still. And it was because of a beautiful natural storm; the work of God. Between organic chemistry, cell evolution, molecular biology, work, lab reports, quizzes, exams, and on andonandon I had not had a single moment to just rest. Much less spend any time with God. 

When I got home I looked up the verse. Now, I will be the first to admit that the Bible is a little intimidating to me. I have a hard time just sitting down and reading it, because it so jam-packed with good stuff I just don't know where to begin. WHICH is why I love my well-worn, well-loved, well-read Max Lucado Bible :) I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone...I am slightly obsessed with mine because I have hundreds of little notes, bookmarks, ribbons and knick-knacks scattered throughout mine saving special scriptures from special times in my life. But the reason I fell in love with it in the first place is because Max Lucado is a phenomenal Christian author. Throughout the book there are "Life Lessons" pertaining to certain scripture as well as "Study Guides" on hot topics like fear and love. 

And whaddya know, there was quite the pertinent Life Lesson on Psalm 46. Lucado talks about how in America today the most precious commodity has become time itself. As family dinners, typewriters and filing cabinets are all going by the wayside, microwavable meals, computers and zip drives become more and more important to people because no one has enough time. He points out that since 1973 the average person's average amount of leisure time has shrunk by 37% and the average work week has increased from 40 to 47 hours....all the technology that is supposed to make our life easier has only given us more time to rush. But my favorite part is the "Application" section. He says:

"Are you weary? Look to the protection and strength of God. The world can be overwhelming at times, but remember that God has everything under control. Relax in him."

God is so good.