Be Still
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
—
It’s hard for me to be still. I find myself drawn to a perpetual parade of activities one after the other. I have a long “To Do List” regarding my work at church, my work with the Children’s Choir, my family, household chores, and personal needs. And on and on it goes. Some days I get exhausted just seeing what I have on the calendar for that day alone, not to mention what is ahead during the next few days or the next week! OUCH!
I was surprised several years ago to discover something I would not have expected: the beauty of being still and the calmness that stillness can create in my soul.
This stillness was forced upon me when I had to wait on a workman to come to the house to repair or install something. You’ve been there, too. The company gives you a four-hour window of time when they expect to arrive and promise to call when they’re on the way. But all you can do is wait. You can’t go anywhere. You can’t attend to any errands. You are afraid to jump in the shower or even make a phone call lest you miss the worker’s incoming call. So, what can you do? Wait! Be still and wait.
For a long time, this waiting made me anxious and even mad. I would get frustrated as to why the worker was taking so long. “Don’t they care that I have other things to do today?” “Gee whizz!” “Where are they?”
But I began to notice that some of those occasions were actually refreshing. It forced upon me time to think. And when I have time to think, I can be my most creative. And creativity is a God-given endeavor that enlivens the spirit. And when my spirit is enlivened, it is as it I am fully alive. Suddenly I see things from a new perspective. I see possible solutions to issues I’m facing. It is invigorating!
So, instead of resisting these times of forced waiting, I began to embrace them as opportunities to “Be still and know that (he) is God” … and I am not!
In the day-to-day buzz of hyperactivity, I can sometimes lose focus and start to think that I can do this on my own. I make my plans. I check off items on my list. I work through the hectic schedule. I push through. And, other than a few quick-breathed prayers for “God, please bless me,” I leave God almost completely out of the picture and try to make it on my own.
This is not how God wants it to be. This is not how we were created to live our lives. Our total existence, our total reliance is on God in Christ through the Spirit.
Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the branches... Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”
Did you catch it? Jesus says to “abide.” In that word I hear echoes of be still, relax, be calm, take refuge, rest. I need to learn and re-learn that God wants us to fully embrace faith in Him to meet our needs, restore our souls, refresh our spirits, enliven our lives, and find our purpose and meaning.
The word used for “meditate” in our scriptures is the same word for “rehearse.” We sometimes use the words rehearse and practice interchangeably. That’s not a bad thing. I want to learn to practice, rehearse, meditate on stillness, calmness, and peace. It can be an antidote to the stress and anxiety so prevalent in our world.
In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, writer and researcher, Brené Brown writes, “In our increasingly complicated and anxious world, we need more time to do less and be less. When we first start cultivating calm and stillness into our lives, it can be difficult, especially when we realize how stress and anxiety define so much of our daily lives. But as our practices become stronger, anxiety loses its hold and we gain clarity about what we are doing, where we are going, and what holds true meaning for us.”
The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
My dear brothers and sisters, may it be so. Truly… may it be so.
A Prayer
Lord, help me to be more mindful of You. Quiet my soul. Help me to relax in Your presence. I sincerely desire to “be still and know that You are God.” Forgive me for pushing trough and thinking I can do it on my own. Apart from You, I can do nothing. In Your grace and by Your Spirit, hear my prayer. Amen.
You are loved,
Mark