Be Still

How is it with your soul? It’s a question we’ve been asking ourselves at Show Hope this year. No, Show Hope is not a church. But we are a community of Christ-followers doing ministry work: caring for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption. It’s important work. It’s kingdom work. It’s hard work, and we work hard. But we should not do so at the expense of our souls.

One of our core values is Scripture, remaining rooted in truth. The work of Show Hope is founded upon, rooted in, and fueled by the truth of Scripture. We are committed to honoring God and making him known in and through our work. In order to stay rooted and true to this core value, we must intentionally ensure we are nurturing our relationship with the Lord.The importance of this is two-fold. First, remaining rooted in truth provides direction and clarity about our work and what God is calling us to do. And second, it keeps us grounded and gives us strength to carry out his calling.  

Moses and the Israelites provide an example for us about the importance of remaining rooted in truth. Under Moses’ leadership, the Israelites had fled the oppression of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. There was a brief period of respite before Pharaoh decided to pursue the Israelites who were camped near the Red Sea. As the Egyptians encroached upon them, they were terrified and began to speak against Moses. Their hero had now become the villain. But Moses, who had been on his own journey of nurturing his soul, did not panic or take matters into his own hands. Instead, he answered the people with these words: Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV).

Be still, that is a bold statement standing at the water’s edge with the enemy closing in. But God had done a work in Moses’ life. The same Moses who hastily killed an Egyptian in anger years before is now, when facing peril, pausing and looking for guidance. His strength was not found in his own power but rather in the Lord.

As we continue in this good work of Show Hope while caring for our souls, we are focusing on those words of Moses, Be still. Other translations of this phrase include: be silent (ESV), keep silent (NASB), hold your peace (NKJV), stay calm (NLT), be quiet (CSB), and keep your mouths shut (MSG), which all help paint a picture of the heart behind Moses’ words. Being still is not an excuse for inaction or to fall into laziness. Rather, it is a way to stop and listen for the Lord’s direction, instead of taking matters into our own hands.

Being still is not an excuse for inaction or to fall into laziness. Rather, it is a way to stop and listen for the Lord’s direction, instead of taking matters into our own hands.

Kristin E. Parks

Last year, Show Hope celebrated its 20th anniversary. It was a time of both celebration and reflection of all God has done in and through our organization. As we look forward to the next 20 years, we do so clear-eyed, knowing there is still much work to be done. More specifically, as we approach our goals for this coming year—to award 420 Adoption Aid and 100 Medical Care grants, to launch a new Hope for the Journey resource experience, and to equip 30 student groups through Pause Campaign—we know it is time to “roll up our sleeves” as we answer God’s call “to care for orphans.”  

In order to carry out that calling, though, we are committed to remaining rooted in truth, looking above for direction and clarity in our work. And as we strive to create rhythms of stillness to nurture our relationship with the Lord, we do so knowing this is the only way to ensure our ability to carry Show Hope’s mission forward. In Matthew 16:26 (NIV), Jesus says to his disciples, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”  

What about you in the work God has called you to? How is it with your soul? Are you creating and nurturing rhythms of stillness to ensure you are able to carry out the mission God has given you, or are you striving to push the mission forward at the expense of your very soul?