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Be Still

 

Be Still. Two words. They say a lot, yet they denote not saying anything. Be still. Relax. Abandon. Let go. Be quiet. Refrain. Sink down. How many can be still, perfectly still with no book in hand, no phone, and just relax, abandon all, no laundry, no dishes, no “chores,” no tv, abandon all technology, refrain from it, and sit, sink down, let go of the days to-do lists, let go of thoughts of tomorrow, just be quiet. My grandmother used to tell us kids to be still. I always found it to be an odd command. My parents never used this phrase, only Grandma.

 

Be still. I think she was simply telling us to refrain from all we were doing at the moment that was getting on her last nerve. Refrain from screaming and yelling and running through the house being chased by a cousin with a worm. Refrain from turning up the television. Refrain from all the noise we were making. Just be quiet. Be still. Fortunately, I can. Those weeks in the summer at grandma’s taught me to be still. And I’m thankful.

 

When I came across Psalm 46:10 the first time in my life I was thirty years old. I almost cried when those two words stared up at me commanding me to be still. I could see my grandma’s face and often wondered if these same two words in her bible reading were her way of telling us kids, “I need to relax a moment and I need you to be still so I can be still and let go of all the thoughts and worries and chores and well, just everything. There were beans to snap and potatoes to peel and fish to fry and clothes that needed “mending” and baths to get and hair to be washed and beds to make and I need to sink down for a spell."

 

We didn’t move. We were still. Grandma would sit in her kitchen chair by the window and just gaze out. I don’t think she was looking for anyone or anything in particular, she was being still. Enjoying quiet. I think the birds quit singing for just a few moments in her honor. We were all still. It didn’t last long, it seemed an eternity of course to 7 year old, however, even a few minutes of relaxing quiet ministered to all of us. It was a timeout.

 

I love the quiet. I like being still. The birds don’t cooperate with me so much and I’m glad they don’t because I love to hear their singing and the wind through the trees and every once in a while wind chimes will join in and play a melody only known to the Lord and I thank Him for His song to me. I can hear it when I’m quiet.

 

Be still and know I am God. This is my favorite place. I cherish it. I desire it. I need it. In the busyness of the 21st century and constant clamoring for our attention, most find difficulty in being still. Silence actually frightens some people. Not me. Not the birds. Not God. And I’m thankful. This time of refraining is the time for refreshing, renewal, reprieve, a time to know He is God. How precious is God who asks us or tells us just to be still. Five minutes. Chill. Relax. Don’t worry, be happy. I’m God. Listen, shhhh. Be still.

 

I would challenge everyone, start somewhere. Once a week, once a day, find your chair by the kitchen window. Maybe you’ll lock yourself in the bathroom and just run water warning any intruders, whatever it takes to escape everyone and every “thing” that is consuming your life, take command and shout it to the rafters and all within earshot, “Be still!” Calmly walk away to your designated area and smile at the results.

 

Being single I don’t need to shout to anyone, on occasion I do yell at the frogs in the canal behind my building, they voice their delight at breeding time. Thankfully, the mating season is only once a year. I understand for others there are husbands to “tend” to and kids, and, and, and, but this loving, gentle, soft whisper of God telling you to be still and know, you’ll discover is the secret place you have been longing for.

 

It is my prayer you will come to cherish it. God will make Himself known. He longs for and takes pleasure in fellowship and relationship. It’s His very essence, His Spirit that speaks to your soul, when you’re still and there’s no distraction. I guarantee He will bring a smile on your face. He loves us so much. He wants to tell you personally in His own way, specifically for you. For me, it’s His creation, nature. Yes, even the noisy frogs. One of my favorite verses comes from the book of Zephaniah. In my stillness I meditate on His Word, the following scripture speaks volumes to me;

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Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God in your midst

The Mighty One will save.

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you in His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

 

I should have bought stock in Kleenex. The LORD your God, He’s your God. It’s personal. He is personal. In your midst. That’s close. Intimate. Present. The Mighty One. He is not weak. He is mighty to save and He will save. No question, no doubt.

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He rejoices over you with gladness. The Creator of all rejoices over you and is happy about it. He will quiet you in His love – wrap you up in the coziest, warm blanket and settle your spirit down, quiet your mind, your worries, anxieties, thoughts, concerns – in His love. Sings over you. Who am I Lord? You’re singing over me? Yes. Be still and know. Meditate on that! Take time to be still. Another challenge – look up the words in this scripture in the original language. I’ll share my Kleenex.

 

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Joni D. Hayworth