Jump Start # 3837
Psalms 46:10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
I got down to the office early this morning. There are several projects that need my attention. But, this morning it was very still and quiet. I’m the only one here at the church building. A soft rain is falling and I can hear the second hand of my clock but other than that, it is very, very quiet. That doesn’t happen often. In a normal day, the phone is ringing, people are in and out, printers are printing and the life of this place is very active and sometimes even noisy. But, not this morning.
Quietness is something that many don’t do well with. Just sitting on the back deck and listening to the wind gently blow through the leaves, hearing a bird calling in the distance, but more than anything else, silence. We tend to be a loud society, especially in the cities. From the moment we are awake to the moment we go to bed, TV, music, talking, videos are filling the air and our minds with noise. Alone with your thoughts. Alone with your prayers. Alone with your concerns. Alone with your God. This is something that some have never experienced. Some would scream, “Boring.” But, for me, it’s a pleasant and refreshing and even relaxing moment.
Our verse today declares, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” Others translate this as, “Be still.” Yet, others word this as: “Stop fighting,” or, even, “Enough.” And, those different expressions can present different thoughts for us.
First, in one way, we often fight God. We battle with worry and fear and not walking as we ought to, we fight one another. Troubles and trials are all around us. In the cities, it seems every night someone is murdered. Trouble abounds on several fronts. And, we can just hear our passage declaring, “Enough. Stop it. Know that the Lord is near.” So much of the things that plague our hearts are self created. We carry worry, fear and doubt, when we don’t have to. God is here. We try to figure out all the ways through our problems and God is here. We carry burdens often larger than we are and God is here. Why? Cease striving. Be still. God is here.
Second, in another way of looking at this, all the artificial noise that we create around us, though not necessarily wrong, can keep us from realizing God. Noise. Noise. Noise. And, that noise takes our minds places. And, that noise can create stress and worry. And, that noise can fill our hearts with so much of today that we forget about tomorrow and especially the Lord. Be still and know that I am the Lord. It’s like going on a road trip with some kids in the backseat. Someone is crying. Some is teasing. Someone has what the other wants. And, a pleasant trip to grandma’s house because doom, despair and agony. Mom and dad are worn out, the kids are irritated and everyone is on edge. Be still. It’s ok once in a while to take a drive with no music on. Take a drive and no videos for those in the back seat. Look out the windows. Play guessing games. Be still and learn. Be still and enjoy.
Third, quietness does wonders for your prayer life. No interruptions. No one demanding you at the moment. Still with your thoughts. Still with your God. So much to pray for. So many needing the Lord’s help. So much to be thankful for. So much to appreciate. Even in worship, things can be loud, noisy and distracting. Just you and God. Just you and your heart. As I was reflecting this early morning, I looked around at all the books on my shelves. I have a lot of books. It took those writers a long time to research, write and edit those books. It has taken me a lifetime to collect those useful books. So much information and such a blessing sitting on those shelves. Several of those books are very, very old. Some are pretty new. All written with a purpose. All trying to help someone, like me. And, as I looked around I saw all the framed photographs that line these shelves. I have nearly 40 framed pictures of family and dear preaching friends. Some are on the other side of life now. All very special to me. All have helped me. The quietness of this morning, made me thankful that the Lord put these people in my life. I am better because of that.
Be still. Notice. Reflect. Observe. Think. Pray. I like starting the day this way. It’s helpful.
Now, it’s time to get things cranked up and get busy. It’s about to get noisy here. But moments of being still can be some of the most useful and productive times of the day.
Be still…and know that I am God!
Roger