Day 166: Psalms 45, 46, 47 and 48

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 newest Karate Kid movie (don’t worry – no spoilers here especially if you’ve seen even one trailer), Dre (the Karate Kid portrayed by Jaden Smith) and Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) are conversing. 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.

When was the last time you were truly still before the Lord?