In The Stillness
READ
In the stillness, God speaks to my heart. In the quiet, I hear from Him. And while I know this to be true, I can immediately feel challenged by it. I don't know about you, but at times I have a tendency to say "yes" to too many things — crowding my calendar and my heart.
We live in a world that encourages busyness — busy lives and busy minds. Demanding schedules, endless amounts of activity, and the constant interruption of the cell phone tend to keep us preoccupied. And in all our multitasking and all our running around, we can start to think that this pace is just "normal" and good.
But in our verse today, the psalmist calls us to something deeper, something sweeter — a change of posture. As we step away from the world and turn our attention toward God, He lovingly transforms us. As we sit and consider His goodness and mercy, we find joy in Him.
Let's take a moment to read our verse today, Psalm 46:10:
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
At first glance, the introvert in me loves this verse. I read it and feel grateful for the freedom to quietly sit. And yet I know that in order to connect with God in this space, I have some obstacles to overcome. I have to silence the interruptions, the voice in my head that says I should be doing something else, and the enemy who somehow convinces me that this stillness is actually laziness. It's all these things that make me realize just how devoted I must be in order to develop a rhythm that is in step with God.
REFLECT
My husband and I love to go to golf tournaments, and we recently attended a PGA event in Greensboro, North Carolina, with some friends. We spent the day catching up with each other, walking the 18-hole course, and watching the professionals effortlessly hit the ball.
But as much as we walked and talked, there were many times when we were perfectly still. Moments when we paused our conversations. Times when we stood and waited, silently and intentionally.
In golf, as a player addresses the ball — whether it's a long-distance drive down the fairway or a short two-foot putt on the green — everyone is expected to stop. Volunteers raise "Quiet Please" signs in the air, and everyone is instructed to wait. The moment is fully given to the golfer. Why? Because his ability to focus is critical. Intense mental concentration and silence are necessary. Focus and stillness precede every good shot.
And the same is true of you and me as we set apart time to daily commune with God. We have to intently focus on Him and be still and surrendered in the process. We have to be willing to silence the noise, and maybe even the phone. We have to plan purposefully, marking a time and space on the calendar. We may even have to push through a little discomfort as we begin to slow down and offer our hearts to Him. Encountering God and allowing ourselves to be formed by Him simply won't happen in a hurry.
Sometimes I'm afraid that we've gotten so comfortable with busyness that we find ourselves avoiding the silence. We've become uneasy with anything that resembles "inactivity." Our thoughts start to wander, and we don't always like what surfaces. Asking God to change our hearts so that we better reflect Him is challenging because it requires humility, discipline, and a willing spirit. But it's the posture we must have if we are to fully know Him and become instruments of His love.
So, as you finish the week, intentionally carve out some time with God with the purpose of encountering Him in a new, unrushed way. Silence the phone, turn off the TV, shut the laptop, and sit. Remove the distractions, whatever yours may be, so that you can be fully present with Him. Ask God to open your eyes so that you become aware of His presence, not just in this space, but throughout the day.
As you and I develop a rhythm for communing with God, we'll experience the joy of knowing Him more deeply. By stepping away from the world, our hearts and minds will become more aligned with His. We'll feel the loving presence of our God, and in that space, our affection for Him will sweetly grow.
Like a golfer who does the mental work of focusing on every single shot so that he is not just golfing, but golfing well, we must do the same in our spiritual lives. We must orient our days around Christ, mindful of all He is doing in and through us. Formation is often the result of many small moments spent honestly talking with Him. It's the approach that makes knowing Him possible, so that we live as He intended — fully delighting in Him and graciously bringing His love to those around us.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
Each morning, before you reach for your phone or turn on the TV, sit in the stillness with God. Ask Him to help you align your heart with His before you start your day.
Intentionally look for God and His goodness throughout the day. Jot down the ways in which you witnessed His faithfulness, drawing your attention and awareness to Him.
If possible, make a plan to attend Monday Prayer on Monday, August 24th. It's an invitation to come and sit with Jesus, away from the world and in the stillness. Open your heart to what God might do in this space.
REST
Take a moment to rest in God's presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Lord, thank You for the invitation to be still so that we can know You. Help us to fight the urge to remain constantly busy. Help us to place boundaries around our schedules so that we make intentional time for You. Lord, help us to trust that in the stillness, You are at work. May our affection for You grow as we experience the joy of Your loving presence. Amen.
Port City writer Holly Campbell wrote today’s devotional.