Being Still

Scripture: Psalm 46

This has been a WEIRD week, and I don’t even think that covers half of it! Restaurants are only offering to-go, schools are not meeting, sports have been cancelled or postponed (which is killing me as an avid sports fan haha), people aren’t meant to be seen in groups of 10 or more, and if you are together you need 6 feet of separation. 

To be honest, I think that’s the part that has been the most difficult for me. Not seeing anyone as I walk outside, not running into people at a coffee shop, and really only being able to connect with people via FaceTime and messaging. I miss the simple things that I so often took for granted - hugs, a solid high-five, meeting people for lunch…

But for some reason, amidst the chaos, the panic, the lack of toilet paper and bananas, I find myself oddly at peace. Don’t get me wrong, I truly am worried and concerned for our city, state, country, and world. I have been praying non-stop over the last couple of weeks, but I feel at peace. 

I’m pretty sure God gave us grandmas for the crazy moments in life because He knew they would be able to share love and wisdom when it’s needed most. My grandma recently shared with me part of her devotion and in it Psalm 46:10 is referenced, “Be still and know that I am God…”

“Be still”, how can we do that when everything around us seems to be falling apart? And why would God want us to “be still”, isn’t this a time of action, shouldn’t we be doing something!? The thing is, God isn’t saying for us to stop moving or to stay in one place, rather He’s asking us to surrender. “Surrender and know that I am God…” He’s asking us to stop and acknowledge him. To realize that in the chaos is when God’s power is seen the most. 

So I’ve surrendered to God, I’m acknowledging that He is greater than our current situation. And I think that’s where the peace has come. He’s given me clarity on what I’m supposed to do in this time, the people I need to reach out to. The people I need to serve, to encourage, to love, and to remind that it’s in chaos that God’s power finds victory!

So my encouragement to you, play the worship song below, read Psalm 46 out loud (I think there’s power when you actually hear the words being spoken), talk to God about everything going on in your head, your worries, fears, pains… And let him speak over you - “Be still and know that I am God…”

Prayer:

Father, sometimes I get so caught up in everything going on around me that I forget who you truly are. A God who is greater than anything I am facing. But today I’m choosing to be still, to recognize that you are in control, that you have not and will not leave me. So I give you my worries, fears, and pains. I trust that you will bring victory to my situation. Help remind me to be still each and every day. - Amen

Song: “Your Name is Power” - Rend Collective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqAmWSfRUqM

Pastor Zach