Interview with Lucy Rycroft - Be Still
I recently read Lucy Rycroft’s new book Be Still - 30 Devotions For Those Who Feel Anything But.
The back cover says; ‘Lucy Rycroft takes us on a journey…..how we can absorb biblical truths to help us discover what ‘being still’ looks like today’.
I really enjoyed Lucy’s insights into Biblical truths.
Look out for the section on Philippians 4:5: ‘Let your gentleness be evident to all’ - I think that was my favourite among favourites!
I asked Lucy some questions about book, and what ‘Be Still’ looks like for her.
EO: Hi, Lucy! Congratulations on your book.
Thank you for talking with me.
Tell me three things about yourself.
LR: Hello! What an interesting question. I’ll go with:
● I’m a mum through birth and adoption
● I was born with two thumbs on my right hand
● I’m a huge fan of chocolate (and was even on TV once because of it!)
EO: I don’t think I’ve ever spoken with someone who has been on TV because of chocolate before! Very impressive!
EO: Where did the idea behind your book come from?
LR: My life felt busy with no obvious way out. Even if I laid down the ‘non-essential’ parts of my life, I would still be left with four kids, a church leader husband and a paid job - none of which I could lay down! It felt like there was always something or someone needing attention. Life didn’t stop.
So at the start of 2024 I chose ‘Be Still’ as my words for the year. I wanted to ask God how I could be still within a life that didn’t feel very still. Not all of us can go and become spiritual hermits - in fact most of us can’t! So how can we receive more of God’s stillness, peace and rest in this crazy-busy culture? That is a relevant question for many of us, I think, whatever our circumstances.
EO: What encouraged you as you wrote the book?
LR: As I read, studied and then wrote, I realised that there were ways we could shift our perspective and step outside the demands of our culture to know the deeper peace that Jesus brings. It encouraged and excited me - and my ‘be still’ definitely changed (and is still changing) me.
EO: What challenged you as you wrote the book?
LR: Unsurprisingly - it was hard to find the time!
I was working full-time, ferrying my kids around, making meals, supporting my husband, ministering at church, being a school governor and so on. During the month I submitted the proposal for the book, I also successfully interviewed for a part-time teaching job - having not taught for 15 years! So I was also navigating a return to a career I felt very out of touch with.
EO: Sum up the essence of your book in three words or fewer (you’re not allowed to say ‘Be Still’!)
LR: Calm, restful, reassuring
(EO: I agree!)
EO: You look at 30 ‘Be Stills’ in the book. Which ‘Be Still’ do you find the most challenging?
LR: Definitely the Sabbath! It’s hard because our culture doesn’t stop on one day of the week like it used to. And what one person defines as ‘work’, another doesn’t. Is it ‘work’ to go clothes shopping, for example?! It is for some, but for others it’s a joy!
It’s also challenging when you’re caring for others, because you’re overseeing their schedule in addition to your own. If I’m driving my son to a football match on a Sunday afternoon, then making dinner, chivvying my twins into the shower and getting them ready for school the next day, is that restful? Not really - but it’s also the life God has called me to, and caring well for my children glorifies and honours him.
The challenge remains: how and when do we observe the Sabbath in our over-busy culture? I don’t think I have an answer!
EO: Which ‘Be Still’ is your go-to one?
LR: All of them! But right now ‘Be still - even when you’re anxious about money’.
With the cost of living rising, many people are struggling financially, and I am so grateful not to be on the poverty line, but still there are questions about our finances. Will we be able to support our children as they grow up? Will we be able to buy a house one day? Will we have enough of a pension to retire when we need to?
Knowing that God’s stillness is there for us even when we don’t know where tomorrow’s provision will come from is hugely reassuring.
EO: Why should we be still?
LR: God has so much to give us and teach us and restore to us. Making time for him, taking time to rest and just listen to him without distraction (as well as learning to tune into his voice when life is swirling around us) really will pay dividends in the long term. We will become healthier - mentally and spiritually. We will become more aware of God’s promptings in our lives, more obedient to them, and as a result more loving, forgiving and patient. In short, we will become more like Jesus!
EO: Name someone in the Bible who models ‘Be Still’.
LR: Paul - he talks of learning to be content in all circumstances. I love this!
Also Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She was able to leave the jobs that needed doing to sit and learn at Jesus’ feet.
EO: Can you think of a time in your life when someone modelled ‘Be Still’ to you?
LR: I tell a story in the book of a former vicar of mine. All the youth group volunteers were getting burnt out, so he literally stopped all the youth work - quite a bold move when you have lots of teenagers in a church, including your own! After a year, new volunteers sprang up. They’d seen the need, and responded to God’s call to help.
But the crucial lesson here is that our vicar didn’t allow his volunteers to get burnt out. He knew God was bigger than us, and that we weren’t indisposable to his plans.
Yes, God graciously allows us to take part in the growing of his kingdom - but not at the expense of our health. Our vicar knew this, and was able to both release his
volunteers to ‘be still’, and also practice a stillness discipline himself, as he trusted God for the future of his church’s youth ministry.
EO: What do you think is the opposite of ‘Be Still’?
LR: Ooh - interesting question! I think the stereotypical answer would be busyness or overscheduling. But the point of the book - what God was teaching me as I wrote it - is that busyness does not have to mean we can never be still. Stillness is a frame of mind as much as a physical state.
So now I would say the opposite of being still is having no peace, not allowing Jesus into your busyness, not seeing God’s mercies or blessings as you serve in your job, your family or whatever it is that makes you busy.
EO: Who did you write the book for?
LR: Anyone who feels like life runs at 100mph with few ‘margins’ between activities, tasks or responsibilities.
EO: What do you hope people get from the book?
LR: Encouragement that even in busyness - even when caring for kids or grandkids or elderly parents, even when working hard at a career, even when serving at church - they can know the peace and stillness of Jesus.
And - hopefully - a few little practical ideas as to how to grab even small moments of stillness, to help reset physically and mentally.
EO: Tell me a favourite Bible verse of yours?
LR: I mean - how could I choose?! But Proverbs 16:9 seems to have been especially pertinent to me, looking back at my life so far.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
I am an ideas person, a true ‘planner’ - but take great comfort in the fact that God’s plan is best, and that as I submit my ideas to him, he will guide me in the right path.
EO: How can we pray for you?
LR: Thank you! I would value prayer for the capacity to do what I believe God is calling me to do: be a mother, teach music, and encourage Christian parents through The Hope-Filled Family (THFF).
Homepage - The Hope-Filled Family
Sometimes these roles feel too challenging for me - on their own, let alone altogether! But I know God knows what he’s doing.
You could also pray for The Hope-Filled Family to reach the families it’s meant to reach. I long for the younger generation to be on fire for Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit and knowledgeable in God’s word - and hope that THFF can play a small role in that!
EO: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, Lucy.
Father God,
Thank You for Lucy, and all that You have made her to be.
As she juggles the various roles and responsibilities in her life, please strengthen and equip her.
Thank You for her heart for families and young people. We pray that THFF will reach the people who need it, showing Your love to families.
Please meet Lucy with Your peace in her busyness, enabling her to be still.
Amen
You can buy Be Still at Christian bookshops.
Or online.
Or from Lucy direct: Be Still
If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a copy, simply sign up to my newsletter (winner will be drawn on August 3rd): Get in Touch — Emily Owen