“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
The first part of this verse is difficult for me: “Be still.”
If you’ve known me for a while, you may know that I’m going most of the time. I have often measured my worth by how much I’m doing or how productive it seems I’m being. I think it’s because I’m a first-born child, many of us are just wired that way.
But lately, God has called me to a slow season. I’ve been busy and going for quite some time with lots of activities that I enjoy, but I’ve felt God asking me to take some down time to focus on Him and my family. I must admit that I took a while to completely obey because I enjoy all of the things that I do. But over and over again throughout the past month or so, God has continually given me messages and verses that point to rest, honoring the Sabbath and being still.
As I sit and write this, I’m reminded of the story of Martha and Mary. So often I am Martha:
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
-Luke 10:38-42
Mary chose to be still and know that He is God by resting at His feet. She wanted to know Him more and her actions reflected her desire.
In the midst of being still, He wants us to know that He is God. So we have a choice to make: will we allow ourselves to be distracted and choose other things over spending time with God? He doesn’t call us to spend time with Him out of obligation or condemnation, but because He created us with a desire to know Him and have a relationship with Him.
One of my favorite authors, Lysa TerKeurst has said, “Being still is a choice that we make, not a place that we find.” I find that encouraging!
Oh, how I want to know God more! And so, like Mary, I am entering this next season with a heart that will choose to be still, to acknowledge that He is God because I want to hear from Him. Will you join me?
Love it Andrea. I always come out of "being still" refreshed!