Be still, and know that I am God……" (PS 46:10).

All through life we have been conditioned to getting things done our way. The task of earning a living demands that we be not lazy but be proactive and work hard. In a world that emphasizes on speed and efficiency, the scriptural call to 'be still' seems synonymous with being inert, lazy or passive. No wonder it is so difficult to be still. Our brain is simply conditioned to solving problems, finding ways to get what we want, reliving hurts or rehearsing our plans to achieve our goals. Our emotions form a whirlpool of anxieties, fears, wishes and cravings. How can we ever be still?

The Hebrew meaning of 'be still'' means 'to cease, abate, let go, relax or cease striving'. In this context, scripture encourages us to cease striving or acting on our own apart from God. It is therefore is a call to let go of our need to be in control or to be pressured by circumstances; acting without any reference to God.

To be still, we must first acknowledge our total need for and dependency on God. Some Christians are reluctant to let go and let God because they are working hard to prove themselves and gain recognition. They think that they can solve their problems much faster on their own. To such people, God is often seen as Someone who is too slow. Yet, as we let go and cease striving by our own strength, we actually allow God to enter our lives afresh. This gives God room in our lives to act for our good.

Being still allows God to reveal and make Himself known to us. God acts in the place where we learn to be still. When Israel was sandwiched by the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, Moses told the people to 'Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…' (Ex14:13). It was then that God acted and made a way for them where there seemed to be no way! God's action, direction and movement is often preceded by moments of stillness, inactivity, waiting, trusting and letting go. We learn to be still in order to realise the saving power of God in our lives!

ac & md