A Rest from Performative Faith - Your Nightly Prayer - September 15th

Audio By Carbonatix

Rest from a Performative Faith
Your Nightly Prayer
by Amber Ginter

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

“Be still, and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10, NIV

SOMETHING TO PONDER

In Exodus 14, the Israelites are weary from a never-ending battle. After facing 400 years of abuse and imprisonment from the Egyptians, they finally see a glimmer of hope. Moses is going to lead them to the Promised Land, but it won't be without a fight. 

Plague after plague, Pharaoh wouldn't let the people go. It wasn't until after God took his son that he told Moses and the people to get out of there. "Gladly," you can almost hear the Israelites retort. But suddenly, the plans change. Pharaoh realizes he's made a mistake and begins chasing after the Israelites. Suddenly, instead of pressing on, God tells Moses to stop. 

Exodus 14:2-4 reads this way: "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this" (NIV). 

I don't know about you, but resting instead of running in this scenario doesn't sound like the normal human reaction. I'm not much of a fight person, but I am a flight one. Choosing to be still in this moment would be incredibly difficult to fathom, let alone obey. And yet, that's exactly what God told Moses and the people of Israel to do. Be still. Stay. Let me fight this battle for you. 

Today, I have to wonder how many of us feel like these Israelites, not just in our battles, but in our everyday faith. We feel like we have to work so hard and prove ourselves just to be able to call ourselves Christians. But friend, it's grace through faith that saves you, not what you do. You can never do enough to receive that free gift, and that's why Jesus had to come and die for us. 

The reason that performative faith never works is that it emphasizes us and not God. The truth of the Scriptures is that when we're weary, when we're at the end of our rope, we don't have to try and do more to help ourselves; we simply need to surrender. Being still isn't an act of defeat; it's one of the highest forms of obedience. It's not passive, but active. It's step one in learning to let go of striving and embrace spiritual stillness. 

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear Jesus,
Resting from a performative faith in a world that strives for control isn't easy. We're constantly surrounded by those who tell us we need to do and be more. But Lord, you ask us to rest in you and your grace. To surrender our striving for your spiritual stillness to just be. Help us to know what it means to be still and that you are God. Please give us the peace of your presence that surpasses all understanding and help us to rest in you. We love, praise, and thank you, Lord.
Amen. 

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Do you struggle with resting in God's grace? Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you exchange this performative view of faith for one rooted in His abundant rest, mercy, and love. 

2. Can you relate to the struggle of Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 14? Take time to read over the story and reflect on how it relates to your life. 

3. Challenge yourself to memorize Psalm 46:10. When you're struggling to let go of striving, recite this verse. Bonus: Write it on a sticky note where you'll see it every day.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Adrian Swancar

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.

Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!