“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 ESV)
The words “be still” mean literally to let go, to let drop, to relax, and to be quiet. For most of us stillness, silence, and serenity are difficult to find. Even when we are able to find it externally, it can still be difficult to cultivate stillness internally. Life is busy! It is not only tough to be still, but it is tough to make the time to be still. This whole idea of being still goes against what we naturally and culturally do. When our natural inclination is to step on the gas and go full speed ahead, God is often telling us to hit the brakes and be still. Our problem is that many times we view being still with God as inactivity.
However, the less we are still:
the less we hear God’s voice,
the less we recognize Gods’ activity,
the bigger our issues seem,
the smaller God appears,
and the more we operate according to our own agenda, wisdom, and power.
When was the last time you released the pressing issues in your life to God? When was the last time you relaxed in the presence of God? Can you set aside just a few minutes to “be still” before God today?