BE still and know that I am God
Simply just BE.
…BE in this moment.
…BE in this place.
It seems like this should be easy. Existence in itself is “the act of simply BE-ing.” However, I am all too often thinking of what I need to do next. Even though my body may be present, my mind has frequently left the premises to deal with my worries or the to-do-list in my head. God’s calling is simple. Just BE. Turn off the demands of tomorrow. They will take care of themselves. Stop my wishing for the next day…moment…event and start BE-ing in this moment. This could be the BEginning of finding contentment. It could be the BEginning of a grateful heart for what is now and what is here.
Be STILL and know that I am God.
I struggle with sitting still. There is always someplace to go or something to do. Just being still would let my thoughts and feelings catch up with me. Some of those feelings and thoughts aren’t comfortable to encounter. But it is in the stillness that I know I will find God. I am reminded of the story of Elijah as he sits waiting for God (1 Kings 19:1-18). God is not in the storm or the earthquake, but He comes as a whisper. There is comfort in the chaos and noise of my life because I can focus on what I choose to focus on…which often means that I miss out on that stillness and the soft whisper of God. It is the whisper of someone who knows me and loves me. It is through that stillness that I know I can heal from those feelings and thoughts that may haunt and hurt. It is through being still that I can simply BE.
Be still and KNOW that I am God.
There are very few things that I am confident that I really KNOW. And, the older I get, the more I begin to question if I really know even those few things. It is almost a weekly occurance where one of my children will teach me something new or remind me of the large holes in both my memory and my knowledge. I'd like to claim that it is simply that my brain lacks good organization from which to easily retrieve facts and memories. But, I suspect it is more accurate that there is just so much in there that the file drawers are jammed shut. Plus, the world seems to insist on constantly changing details that I thought I knew. Take Pluto for example. It used to be a planet! Now, I need to find that pnemonic about "my very good mother eating pizza" and relearn the planets. Another thing I no longer really KNOW.
However, with that said, there are some things that I do know. I know that I love my family. I know that I am blessed beyond my needs. And, I know that there is a God who made me. I know that there is a God who is alive and present in my life. And, I know that God is with me.
Be still and know that I am GOD
Okay. I admit it. I am not God. I loved the movie, Bruce Almighty. It was a wonderful and comical reminder of why any human shouldn't be god. And, it is a further reminder of what a blessing it is to have a God who is so filled with grace and love. However, it doesn't stop me from wanting to have the control and knowledge of God. I understand Eve and why she was so tempted to eat the apple. Unlimited power is so very tempting! In my selfishness, I desire to have my prayers answered in the way that I want and when I want. I need a reminder that I am not God. God is God. God is in control. He has heard my prayers and knows my heart. God will take care of me. And, with that knowledge, I am free.
I am free...
...to simply BE in this moment and this time. To enjoy the gift of knowing that tomorrow is in God's hands.
...to be STILL and hear God's voice in the silence. Confident that in this stillness God's whisper will enter my heart and help to guide my feet.
Brian & Tobi
