Be Still
“Be still and know that I am God.”
(Psalm 46:10)
“Be still.”
It’s mentioned over and over in the bible.
And it’s such a simple command.
Or so it seems.
In our day and age, to be still is anything but simple. There are meetings to attend, deadlines to meet, dinner to put on the table, errands to run… The list goes on and on. So much of us is demanded at all times – from both ourselves and from other people. I can distinctly remember certain points in my life – certain days, weeks, months and even years – where life was extremely overwhelming. In fact, I went through this just recently. But it wasn’t the first time I have felt it – where I felt like I would literally crack if one more minute or one more thing was asked of me.
We’ve all been there.
So why would God command something of us so simple sounding, yet extremely tough? Because of one simple fact…
The seasons of life where I have felt overwhelmed with life are the seasons that, in hindsight, I realize I have tried to play God. I tried to manage every detail of my career, my family and my friendships.
And guess what? It didn’t work. And I’m willing to bet it hasn’t worked you either.
When we pause in mist of the hustle and bustle of life and “know that {He} is God,” we provide Him the opportunity to come into our minds and hearts. If our minds are too preoccupied and worried about the next deadline or wondering what is for dinner, we don’t focus on Him and allow Him to be who He is. I know when I come to that cracking point, it’s a red flag waving in my face, telling me I need to take some quiet time and go be with God, reading His word. This helps me reshift my focus and remember I can’t do it all – but He can.
And you know what the great thing about all this is? He plays God way better than anybody else in this world can. So I’m going to go ahead and let Him do it.