The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections  
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Aug 20
Today's Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
Matthew 11:28
" . . . and I will give you rest"

The Calm You Cannot Explain

There was a moment in my life, long before surrender, when the Holy Spirit placed a calm inside me that I could not explain. I did not know the word for it then. I did not know it was “rest.” I only knew that everything inside me suddenly laid flat — no ripples, no waves, no panic. It was a supernatural calm, the kind that smooths the tarmac of your soul so you can walk through a moment without fear.

I was standing in a kitchen in Boston while someone calmly described a future for me that would have taken my precious daughter from me and stripped me of my life. Yet inside me, I felt nothing but stillness. It told me, “Be quiet. Say nothing.” And I obeyed. That calm saved me. If I had spoken, things could have escalated and trapped me before it was time to leave. I understand now that this was Christ-awareness — His presence, His protection, His rest — long before I knew how to name it.

Rest is the inner calm Christ gives, even when life around you is unsettled. It is the quiet confidence that He has your back, your front, and your side — that He will take care of you no matter what. Rest lets the noise stay noise. The world may shake, rattle, and roll, but your heart does not. You remain calm inside because you are resting in Him.

Whenever something begins to disturb that rest — a thought, a misunderstanding, or a feeling that rises out of nowhere — turn to Him at once. Ask Him to restore your calm. Never allow unrest to linger. Resist anything that pulls your attention away from Him. Ask the Lord to fill your heart with awareness of His presence, and the inner swirl of emotions will fade away. When your attention is on Him, He becomes your all in all.

When we try to fix ourselves by thinking through our feelings, replaying conversations, or trying to calm our own hearts, we only become more focused on ourselves. That inward focus steals our peace. But when we turn our attention to Jesus, He gives us rest. Christ-awareness takes the place of self-focus. His calm rests in us when we look at Him instead of at ourselves.

A complete life is the life of a child. A child does not question whether the parent will answer. A child does not monitor their own heart. A child simply trusts. When we walk with Jesus in that childlike way, we do not question what His will is — we simply live in it. And when unrest comes, we turn to Him immediately, knowing He alone gives the rest our souls need.

Prayer

Lord, You gave me calm on an unexpected day.

You gave me life when I thought mine was gone.

Your saving grace stilled my soul;

my life is Yours now—let me rest in You alone.

Give those that come the knowledge that

You alone can save their souls.

You alone can give them rest.

You alone can steady their life.

You alone, Lord—only You.

Open their eyes that they may see

Your presence all around them,

the place where their soul is steady.

You alone can hold their life together

when everything around them begins to scatter.

You are the Only One, Lord

Let them see You.

Let them see.

I love You, Lord.

I am hiding under the shadow of your wings,

while you keep the tarmac of my soul at peace.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Selah,

~ Quil

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Personal Note: I never imagined I would see a day like this. After all the turmoil I lived through, I never even thought of such a day — being surrendered to Christ, being valued, being chosen, writing a devotional blog of all things. Me? I would have never believed it. But He brought me forward, He opened my eyes, He steadied my life, and now my heart can barely contain the gratitude I feel. I am here because of Him—because He never let go of me.

Scripture References

Matthew 11:28–29
“Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” 
This is the anchor of the devotional — the invitation, the rest, the calm He gives.

Psalm 91:1–4
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” 
This matches the closing prayer: “I am hiding under the shadow of Your wings.” 

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, I will help you.” 

This is the calm He gave me in Boston — the presence that steadies you when danger rises.
Psalm 46:1–2
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

This is my story — calm in the middle of fear.
John 14:27
“My peace I give to you… not as the world gives.” 

This is the “calm you cannot explain.” It is supernatural, not natural.
Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” 

This matches the moment when fear should have overtaken me — but didn’t.
Psalm 121:7–8
“The Lord will keep you from all harm… He will watch over your life.” 

This is the protection He gave me when I thought my life was gone.