Regardless of the season of life that we’re in, the world around us screams of busyness. We can find ourselves in the middle of a pandemic – where most things are shut down - and still have so much screaming for our attention.
Netflix.
School.
News.
Social Media.
Children.
Housework (there always seems to be laundry to be done)
Cooking (our children never stop eating!)
Maybe even undertaking learning something new.
We also can be all alone in our home, with no access to the internet or tv, and have our own thoughts screaming back at us so loudly that we experience no peace.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
In this verse, the words “be still” often are referenced as being quiet. While getting quiet is often the starting point. Setting aside time to get away from people and technology and removing yourself from noise.
The words “be still” literally mean to “stop warring” and “let go”. Essentially meaning, stop the internal war. The war to be busy. The war over our thoughts and the war for our attention. To let go of those spiraling thoughts and acknowledge God. Letting Him into the quiet.
Piece of cake, right? Sounds easy. I’m obviously kidding.
But I do believe the more we foster being still in our lives the more we’ll experience the presence of God and the fruit of His Spirit in us (Galatians 5:22-23). Letting go of chasing down the thoughts that enter into our minds and decluttering things that are striving for our attention, will allow us to experience the peace in our lives that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), regardless of our circumstance. And to experience patience that helps us endure the craziness of the world around us.
Here’s what I know – the more we practice stillness with God, the more we change into the likeness of Him. His character. His perspective. And when things change inside us, they change around us.
So as you continue your week, may you begin to foster the practice of stillness and be astounded at His presence.