A QUIET MOMENT OF SURRENDER – Following Jesus from the Edges.

Quiet Surrender

Pastor Calvin Cook

July 3, 2026

The last few weeks have been a ride through life with many blessings and the feeling of a few defeats. I have many things that I am processing and seeking to experience God’s goodness and provision in the midst of them.

After several worship experiences here in the churches on the Allegheny Ridge, moments of prayer for peace and reconciliation, celebrating the saint’s lives who have finished their course in faithful living and loving, people who received not only physical healing but spiritual healing as well and joyous reconciliation that has happened in peoples lives with other people. But most importantly to experience stillness with God.

I haven’t taken many opportunities to speak of changes in my life both personal, spiritual, and professional but in the days ahead I am sure as the Holy Spirit guides I will share those highlights with you.

Today I had a very early meeting to prepare for but now just needed this time to just sit in the quiet presence of God and just reflect.

Last week when away at the worship celebration of the Allegheny West GMC Annual conference we stayed at a beautiful AirBNB that was a log cabin in the middle of the woods. The log cabin was off the main road and quietly secluded, giving a great opportunity in the early morning to reflect on the big wrap around porch.

One particular morning I wrote these words in my journal that hopefully you can take a few moments out of your busy day to reflect.

The Psalmist writes “Be still and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Nothing absolutely nothing should ever separate us from the stillness of God.

Amidst busy lives – pause to reflect upon God. By believing and trusting, God will put you into places in a rushed and busy world to pause.

But you must seek it and desire it!

Wherever you are right now just listen. As I sit on the front porch of this cabin, while the rest of the world is quiet and no one yet is moving. I am hearing the sounds of birds that I haven’t heard in years. The woodpecker on a distant tree, the call of the morning dove, a robin squawking loudly, even a rooster’s crow echoing through the valley from a distant farm.  There are other sounds of nature I hear that I wish my Dad was here to ask. As I reflect upon the sounds I knew and were taught to me by my Dad as I sat with him in the woods or fishing with him along a creek.

Here my mind drifts to what it means to sit with our heavenly Father and listen. Listening to the words of care that is being offered. I question and seek forgiveness and redemption when I can’t take time to listen. To listen to sounds and voices that call out to us, that take us to a better place. How much time are we listening to direction, guidance, and instruction of our God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We are so focused on listening to the voices that destroy that we don’t take time to listen to the voice of God.

Maybe today we need to write the words of Psalm 46:10 on our busy heart and lives

“Be still and know that I am God.”