Be Still

Alicia Taylor
 
Be still, and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
 
Psalm 46 begins and ends by proclaiming that the God of Jacob is our refuge, our strength, and our stronghold.  The Lord of hosts is with us!  We can take comfort in letting go and resting in God to provide help, strength, and safety.
 
The Hebrew definition of "be still" is to cease striving, to surrender.  The literal translation taken from the Greek is to hush.  How often do we pray, asking God to answer our supplications, but we don't stop to be still and to listen?  The act of being still and getting quiet is a veritable challenge in our hectic days.  The world asks us to be busy; God asks us to be still.
 
Our brains process upwards of 60,000 thoughts each day, of which approximately 56,400 are related to our own needs, wants, and concerns.  Unfortunately, not all of our thoughts serve us well.  Quieting the mind requires practice, and one powerful way is by practicing meditation.  Jesus often went off to meditate and to take himself away from the world.
 
Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."  Meditation helps to renew the mind, to be still, to cease striving, to let go and surrender the thoughts that do not serve us well.
 
I leave you with a listening link and the lyrics of this Sunday's offertory.  Take just a moment to be still, quiet your mind, and meditate on this text, the beautiful music, and the incredible images of God's creation.  Be transformed by the renewing of your mind ...
 
Be still and know that he is God.
Be still and know that he is holy.
Be still, O restless soul of mine.
Bow before the Prince of Peace;
Let the noise and clamor cease.
 
Be still and know that he is God.
Be still and know that he is faithful.
Consider all that he has done;
Stand in awe and be amazed,
And know that he will never change.
Be still.
 
Be still and know that he is God.
Be still and know that he is God.
Be still and know that he is God.
Be still; be speechless.
 
Be still and know that he is God.
Be still and know he is our Father.
Come, rest your head upon his breast;
Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love
Beating for his little ones, calling each of us to come.
Be still.  Be still.  Be still.  Be still.

Prayer for Today

Creator God, we offer thanksgiving for the beauty of your creation.  Help us to dismiss the noise of the world and the clamor of our own thoughts.  Draw us closer to you and help us to be still, we pray.  Amen.