Stop trying...

In our world today to "stop trying" seems like the antithesis to everything our culture is about.  Nike would probably like to shoot me just for uttering the words.  We live in this world where we are supposed to always try to out best our best, not to mention the best of everyone else.  Competition, continual busyness, winning is the way of the day.  Striving to make your self happy and content is what it is all about, the only thing worth trying for.

I had to give up on something though and it was hard; not necessarily "give up" but stop trying.  I had no choice.  I had to resign myself to what is...whether I wanted it or not.  I just had to let go.  I had to...stop...trying. 

There is a verse that I have always loved, especially the first part, Psalm 46:10.  In all the versions I have read it was worded, "Be Still an know that I am God...." which was often a comfort when I felt life was crazy, loud and busy but I just read the New American Standard version and it really fell into the hole in my heart, ""Cease striving and know that I am God..."  Cease striving?  Doesn't that sound a lot like "stop trying" or "quit fighting" or "just let go?"  When taken out of context that sounds really wrong but for me, in this place, it was a gift.  God gave me that version to give me permission to just relax into His embrace and let it go..leave it to Him.. My soul is hurting, wanting, and needing, but for now I am going to cease striving and let Him hold me and make it OK. He says it is alright if I stop trying because HE is God and no matter what,  in the end "...  (HE) will be exalted among the nations,  (HE) will be exalted in the earth."  and I guess that is all that really matters.

"Cease striving and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

~Psalm 46:10 (NAS)