He says, “Be still and know that I am God;” Psalm 46:10
How many of you have read that verse before? I know I have. And how many times did you read it and then rush right past onto the next thing? I know I have. But today these words spoke to me in a new way. Be still.
Lately, life has felt swirly. Checkmarks flying all over checklists, kids needing whatever kids need whenever it is most inconvenient to need it, opportunities overcrowding the calendar, and of course, there are also the stresses and worries and what ifs of life that have a way of taking over my brain at 2AM. In other words, my life is full of life. Which is a beautiful thing. But it is also a busy thing. So busy that often I forget to stop and just be still. Have you ever been there? Are you there now?
Well, if you are like me, then the answer is yes. Life, when it’s bursting at its fullest point, can feel overwhelming. It can even trick us into believing that if we stop and rest in the stillness, that somehow we are doing something wrong. We may even believe that if we aren’t the one spinning all the plates, that somehow they will all come crashing down. But that’s not true. And the second part of this verse reminds us why. Know that I am God.
So, even if you have read this verse before, I challenge you to read it again. Only this time, stop and be still in it, even if you can only do that for a fleeting moment.
He says, “Be still and know that I am God;” Psalm 46:10
What is it saying to you now?
Does it tell you that your own swirly life is making you dizzy? Does it remind you how much you actually relish those soft, quiet moments of rest? Is it asking you to take a deep breath and search for ways, even if they are small, to add moments of stillness to your day? If you are like me, then the answer is yes, yes, and yes again.
God asks us to be still, even though that can feel really hard. And for many of you reading this, I know that finding time to rest is very hard because you are caring for others who need you. But I also know this. If God tells us to be still, He will make a way for us to do it. And when we do, if we invite Him in, He will meet us in that stillness. He will keep the plates spinning, even when we let them go. And He will refresh our souls, even if it’s only one deep breath at a time. No matter who you are or what swirly season of life you are in, know that you are important to God. He cares for you. So, even when it feels hard to be still, you still can. Because He is God and He will take care of you as you do.
How can you be still today?