Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
How does one stop a moving train? Not quickly or easily but we serve a God who isn’t limited by our human strengths or understanding. No, on the contrary, in this day of “sheltering in place” many of us are waking up to the fact that God is ALL powerful. He has done the impossible by allowing the Coronavirus to spread across our world and is using it to bring us to a place of stillness. He is restoring our peace and trust in Him. For what purpose has He stopped our moving trains called life, work, and constant striving? I believe the answer to that question is found in Psalms 46:10: Let be and be still and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!
Could it be that God is calling us to stillness in an age that highly values busyness, achievements, and the constant pursuit of more? How can we “let be and be still”? In my conversations with leaders, I received three primary questions. “How can I be still. I’m responsible for everything?” “Wouldn’t that be irresponsible because we must do something?” “Why is it so hard to be still and what does that scripture really mean?” These questions reveal a hidden truth in our society – our worship of doing and our neglect of stillness.
During this worldwide shift, it’s important for believing leaders to understand that “let be and be still” are not gentle suggestions. In this hour, we can interpret this command more like: ‘rest from striving’, ‘snap out of it,’ ‘wake up,’ and ‘stop fearing’—acknowledge who your God is and trust Him. Why? Because only in stillness do we find true (physical, emotional and spiritual) rest, strategic insight, and guidance from our good Father in Heaven. He’s a gentleman who will not force Himself upon or into our lives. In stillness, we remember that we need Him. We position ourselves, in the stillness, to move into His vision or plans us. Most of all, stillness reminds us to humble ourselves so that He might be exalted in our lives. As we glorify Him in this way, He glorifies us with His presence, power and revelation knowledge. Stillness is vital to the life of the believers because we don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that precedes out of His mouth. Without stillness, it’s easy to make other things our bread of life. As we obey His command to stop from striving, we see our true condition and position in Christ. Stillness is a gift to the body of Christ.
It’s easy to be fearful when things aren’t going well or when we are faced with challenges and conflict in our life. In the midst of our struggle, however, God is telling us to wake up, recognize who’s on our side, and trust Him with it all. In that light, the tone of this verse can be read: stop striving and stop trying to do things on your own. Stop stressing about the battle ahead and trust me. Wake up! I am the Lord. I am your refuge and your strength. You have nothing to fear or worry about when I am with you. I will fight your battles and deal with your enemies. So, get out of my way. Step back, open your eyes, and acknowledge who I am and what I can do. Let me be God. Don’t try and do my job for me. Be patient, be still, and let me go to work.
In the midst of conflict and life turmoil, sometimes we just need to open our eyes, step back, stop what we’re doing, and acknowledge who God is and what He can do. Doing so provides comfort in the chaos and peace in the midst of struggle. So, where do you start? Schedule a meeting with God today. Move Him back to the top of your list of priorities. Before planning anything today, inquire of the Lord. As believers, we’re called, by the Lord, to life of surrendered service to the Lord. As such, we can trust the one who called us into action can also lead us. Finally, be intentional about being still long enough to listen in prayer. One word from God can change our lives forever. So, remember to offer up your ears in prayer because the command to stillness is our proof that He is speaking.
