Stop and Be Still
“He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God.'” Psalm 46:10
I don’t get an “A” for stillness. Maybe a B minus. It’s just not my strong suit.
What has stillness looked like for you lately? Over the last few weeks? Are you able to stop moving? To sit down, read the book, walk in the garden, pray? And if you’ve been able to physically stop, did you notice your mind behaved like an overactive child? Or your spirit wouldn’t settle?
That’s exactly the issue I have to keep putting before God. Sure, I can stop my body, but my heart and mind can be pigheaded.
How do you “be still”? Often when I ask people this question, I get the usual, I can’t be still. Or for the more spiritually seasoned, they list the obvious: I pray and read scripture. But when I press, there’s an agreement: even when engaging those and other spiritual practices, the stillness does not come easily. The peace is not often there.
So, instead of stopping, we sometimes distract ourselves. Divert attention. Which is not a bad idea but often doesn’t actually address the issue.
God gives us the secret to stillness in two parts. Here’s the first: STOP. (Be still). You may be thinking: give me a break. I’d love some stillness, but it’s just not practical! Or: are you kidding me, Nancy, we’re just coming out of COVID-19, I’m not stopping. I’m just getting going!
No, I’m not kidding. Especially if you’re a parent who’s had kids to love through this time. Stop. You’ve had to handle a lot. Stop for a time. Be still. You need a minute. And do teach those little darlings that “stop” is a vital lifelong lesson. Stop. Still your body even if for a minute—a whole minute of stillness—and see how it feels.
Stop talking. Stop explaining. Stop defending. Stop moving. Stop fidgeting. (Stop shaking your crossed leg.) Stop busying. Stop teaching everybody. Stop trying so hard. Stop. Just stop.
I, for one am taking God’s advice. I’m desperately in need of it. What about you?
Next week, His second secret to stillness.
I’m real because God is so real.
~Nancy