Be Still

I’m one of those people who cannot sit still for long; there is always a mental “to do” list in front of my eyes. Combine that with being easily distracted and getting off track. It’s a wonder how anything gets done.

This time of year is anything but still. TV ads are beginning to show happy families sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, without showing all the prep time the meal requires. Christmas decorations, toys, and “the perfect gift” are shown in the multitude of flyers that come in the mail, calling us to get busy decorating and shopping for the holidays. Have I planned a menu, or a dish to take for Thanksgiving dinner? Have I decided what gift to give family and friends? How many goodies should I bake? Don’t sit still, I tell myself, get busy and “do.”

How can I relax and be still any time I watch the news? Angry voices, violence, sounds of war fill the news at all levels. It is hard to ignore the agitation these conflicts can cause me. Listen to the political ads with their accusatory, pejorative statements from stentorian speakers. How can I be still when I hear logical fallacies being used to try to prove a point? My reaction is often a rant of my own, pontification on my own soap box with an audience of one (sorry, Michael).

Michael and I received a wedding gift of a wooden plaque stating, “Be Still” Ps. 46: 10. I noticed it last week as I was dusting, and I stopped in my tracks to think of what being still before God means. It takes effort, yet I think I am making progress.

I listen in a different way; I hear the birds instead of the traffic; I take time to look at trees more colorful each day with leaves of red, rust, orange, and brown instead of seeing them lying on the lawn begging to be raked. I watched the squirrels chase each other around the yard, especially lively when Michael left his bag of peanuts outside. I savor the flavor of lettuce and tomatoes picked from my small garden instead of gulping down a meal to get another job done. Small things leading to a bigger thing.

I am reminded that God calls me to be still, to call me into a relationship with him, that he loves me enough to want time alone with me—no agendas, no distractions. He wants me to get to know who he is through prayer, Bible study, and Christian conversation—God Almighty, all powerful, all knowing, the one in control even when everything around me seems out of control. He is the one who stills any worry or anxiety coming from my inner voice as he encourages me to lean into him.

He reminds me to take the time to enjoy his creation—as I mentioned, I have intentionally begun to do that, which may have been the start of this quest. When I take time to listen, see, touch, and taste, I am in awe at what God can do.

I recall the story of Jesus going to the house of Mary and Martha; now I am a self-admitted Martha, but I am trying to do more listening than talking or doing (unnecessary “busy work”). If I don’t remember, I am finding out that God has sent me Michael to remind me.

From our Bible study of Matthew, I reviewed the incident of Jesus “stilling” the storm, amazing his disciples, and then read Psalm 107, a psalm of deliverance, where the Lord calms the fears of fishermen by “hushing” the sea. How powerful God is, and how faithful! In recognizing his power, I am assured of his protection and his peace.

Yes, we are approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the festivities they involve. They are called “holidays,” holy days, days set apart for worship. Let us take time to be still during this season so that we can listen to God’s voice, learn at his feet, marvel at his power, and rejoice in his love.