Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
There is nothing more difficult than being still. Most of us
are more Martha than Mary. Too often, in order to quiet my body, I engage my
brain with a book, music or television (although one could make the argument
that watching television does anything but engage the brain). The
point is that I even sabotage the quietness with noise… if not externally, then
internally. Thoughts start racing through my head: what’s coming up next at
church, worries, things I should be doing, pressures. That’s not being still.
In the 2010 Columbia Pictures remake of the Karate Kid,
Dre (the Karate Kid portrayed by Jaden Smith) and his mom relocate to China for
her work. Dre is bullied by local teens (who would do well to read Psalm 41),
which leads to Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) taking him under his wing to teach him
Kung Fu (yes, Kung Fu; not Karate). On one occasion Dre and Mr. Han are
talking. Mr. Han tells Dre to be still. Dre says he doesn’t want to do
nothing. Mr. Han replies, “There
is a big difference between being still and doing nothing.”
Being still is intentionally stepping away from the hustle
and bustle of everyday activities without replacing it with other forms of
noise; not to empty ourselves, but to engage and be engaged by the heart of
God. It is in being still that the full awareness of God’s power and majesty,
as well as his love and care, can be ours. In short, this is the way we can know
God.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
When was the last time you
were truly still before the Lord? “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm
46:10).
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