Doing

Keep a Quiet Heart

by Elisabeth Elliot

When Satan came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, his bait was intended to inspire the lust to do more than the Father meant for Him to do - to go farther, demonstrate more power, act more dramatically. So the enemy comes to us in these days of frantic doing. We are ceaselessly summoned to activities: social, political, educational, athletic, and - yes - spiritual. Our "self-image" (deplorable word!) is dependent not on the quiet and hidden "Do this for My sake," but on the list the world hands us of what is "important." It is a long list, and it is both foolish and impossible. If we fall for it, we neglect the short list.

Only a few things are really important, and for those we have the promise of divine help: sitting in silence with the Master in order to hear His word and obey it in the ordinary line of duty - for example, in being a good husband, wife, father mother, son, daughter, or spiritual father or mother to those nearby who need protection and care - humble work which is never on the world's list because it leads to nothing impressive on one's resume. As Washington Gladden wrote in 1879, "O Master, let me walk with Thee/In lowly paths of service free...." (p. 124-125)

We have found ourselves kept in complete peace (Isaiah 26:3) this week as we waited for our offer on a house to be accepted and for the details to be worked out. We received news on Wednesday that our offer was accepted and that we will move forward with a tentative closing date early in June, Lord willing. We are amazed and thankful for this clear and direct answer to prayer.

It is entirely possible for me to be thrown into a frenzy of doing, knowing that we have only 6 short weeks to really prepare for moving our fragile crew and preparing our current home to be rented out. I could be creating minute-by-minute to-do lists and rushing about madly (happily, though crazily). However, I know what utter chaos my frantic doing would bring to our household and the children who struggle to regulate their own emotions and manage external stimuli. Doing has been a great temptation for me and learning to say no to good, enjoyable, and noble things (teaching Sunday school, participating in Bible studies, joining small groups, volunteering for many positions, etc.) has been a valuable lesson in order to joyfully and quietly be able to do the truly important things on my short list.

This week our family has been hit really hard with spring colds and it has slowed us down considerably. At least half of us have carried tissue boxes around the house, sipping tea and orange juice, wrapped up in blankets and bathrobes. Not by choice, but by good design, we had reason to slow down and rest in the ordinary duties of parenting and family life, even in the midst of exciting news. Being sick and having a slower-than-normal routine this week has helped keep the anxiety levels down for the children. What a precious lesson for me to glimpse as I am able to care for sick bodies and tender hearts.

I look forward to the opportunity to continue to enjoy my early time in silence with the Master daily, depending on Him for this next step, obeying His Word in our ordinary duties of each day that will now also include learning how to pack and move. Just another ordinary task we can learn to do together.