I spent most of this week wrestling with Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God."
What does it mean to be still when the world seems to be so busy, preparing for a pandemic? Covid-19 is spreading all over the world, wreaking havoc on what we have come to know as our norm. The stock market is shaky, and the government is confused. Outside of that, our world feels so unsafe, there is still prejudice in our workplaces, our schools, and our community. There is still homelessness. Climate change is taking a toll on our food, water, and land. There are wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. There is so much more happening in my blind spot, but I am sure you all have a list of your own.
How can one be still with all this happening simultaneously?
I find that it was easier to wrap my mind around BEING STILL when I read Psalm 46 in its entirety and not just verse 10. Psalm 46 started with the revelation that ”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” Already BEING STILL takes on a new meaning. We can be still because God is our refuge and strength, and is a very present help when we are in trouble.
In this season, instead of wishing you were someplace else—in a physical location, or consciousness, or terms of health or abundance, try to be still and know that God is at work. Instead of spending time and wasting energy trying to figure out how to get back to where we were, let us remember to BE STILL for God is with us. Though the earth changes, though the mountains shake, though we are locked in our homes, forced to change our lifestyle we can BE STILL for God is indeed our very present help even in these days.
Whatever it takes,
Rev. Ontonio Christie
Let Us Pray;
Loving God, thank you today for the reminder that we can be still because you are our God, our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. There is trouble all around us and our natural response is to be fearful. Help us to embrace the present, and give us glimpses of your presence and your love when our doubts and fear creep in. Amen
image via Bobbi Hobbs (Sawtooth Ridge - Peterman, AL)
