Music Monday: “Still” by Hillsong
By: Debbie Waltz
Well, I survived Write His Answer 2024. If you are a writer, you’ll understand why I’m saying this. If not, just imagine a fire hose being pointed at you and trying to capture every drop in a tiny little cup. That’s pretty much how it is. Now imagine how it is for me to listen to every workshop and trying to capture the main points in my head. Of course, I have angels who offer to share their notes once I disclose my situation. But I’ll be the first one to admit it’s tough afterward. I wonder why I do it to myself. Granted, it’s wonderful to meet like-minded people who strive to reach souls for Christ in whatever genre they’ve chosen to write in. For that matter, I’m blown away by the different avenues (written and otherwise) Jesus has used to reach the broken souls of this world.
This brings me to the topic of “Why do I write”? As a quadriplegic, I am very limited in what I can and can’t do; I rely on others for help with some of the daily tasks that many people take for granted. Eating, dressing, bathing, just to name a few. Thanks to technology, though, I can express my thoughts and feelings about living with a disability just by speaking the words out loud to my computer. As much as we write about diversity these days, I’m saddened to think how many authors writing about a disability have one. Now, that’s not to say they haven’t done the research. They probably have; there’s just something about knowing someone’s been where you are!
Still, writing can be a very subjective and solitary profession; One that if you’re not careful, can peel back your insecurities like an onion. That’s what happened to me during the last night of the conference as they highlighted some of the new up-and-coming writers this year. I compared my journey to those of others. Those feelings didn’t go away as I drifted off to sleep or prepared for church this morning. In a congregation full of standing Christians, I felt really lonely. Jesus must have sensed I felt that way because the next thing I knew, I imagined what it would be like to have his presence kneeling next to me. I don’t do that often, but when I do, I sense his presence beside me. It’s not as if I see him, but I try to remind myself he is there and I’m not alone- even in a crowded room.
“Still” is reminiscent of Psalms 91:1, which focuses on God’s providence and protection over His children. David writes in verses 1-2: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of The Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” (NIV) However, this requires repenting of our sins and surrendering our dreams and goals to God. The New Living Translation puts Isaiah 30:15 this way: “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.”
You can listen to Hillsong’s “Still” here