“Be Still…”

I posted a blog about a year ago with a similar title, “Be still and know…” These words are taken from Psalm 46:10, which has become a life verse for me. The blog was inspired by an incident that happened to my daughter, Brit, where she dropped her iPhone and broke it. This was no doubt distressing, in that she depends on the internet and her phone for a lot of her business. It turned out to be a strangely rewarding thing, however, as she discovered a time of peace and quiet that she very much needed.

Not long after that, Carol and I went to our local mall, and she had to stop by Macy’s to pick up a couple of items. Since I don’t like shopping that much, I decided to wait in the car. It was not going to take long. While waiting for her, I could have stuck my nose in my phone to read, checked Facebook or other internet sites. What I did instead was put my phone down, roll down my windows...and listen. I saw some trees in the distance and could hear them rustling in the wind. I wondered how long they had been there. I saw a young couple laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I also saw a grandma and her young granddaughter communing in a way only grandmas and granddaughters can. It was calming and rewarding to just sit and listen.

In case you haven’t noticed, we are in a terrible, noisy, divisive time in our country, and concern is higher than ever over who will take the White House in November, and what will happen after that. Now…don’t panic…I’m not writing about politics, or the candidate I intend to vote for. I have made up my mind, but will not talk about that, or take sides here.

What I would like to talk about is how we can maintain our sanity in the midst of all of this noisiness, and how we can maintain peace of mind in spite of it all. That sounds like a daunting task, but God tells us it is possible.

We hear cable news 24/7 trying to bring new perspectives to stories we have heard over and over.

We hear comments from people in all of the campaigns that do nothing but make an attempt to destroy the opposition.

We hear anger.

We hear accusations...and denials.

We hear threats.

We see violence on the increase.

We see tragedy all over the world.

But…if we can turn all of that off for a little bit…we will hear, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This may not quiet the political rhetoric, but it can quiet our hearts and minds, knowing that God really does know what is going on. We can also be assured He will set things right in His own time.

So…let’s take several minutes each day - or more - to turn off the tv; put the cell phone away; power down the computer and iPad, and listen to the quiet...that still, small voice that says - “be still son; be still daughter; be still child. Know that I am God. Know that I am your God. Know that I will give you a peace that the world knows nothing about.”

Psalm 46 contains a lot of gold for the troubled heart and the terrible times we live in. Read it and be still. Read it slowly. Read it with your heart tuned to the still, small voice that is calling you to just be quiet for a while...just...“Be still…” and let God speak to you. You'll know when He does.

Thanks be to God.