Be Still...

             He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. (Exodus 14:13)

When are you noisy? When is your mind noisy? It seems to me that my mind weaves between being a cacophony to being a cavern that rings with echoes of emptiness and silence. Both are reasons why I like to listen to music or do something while walking or sitting around. The attention it takes to from the oppressive noise or silence in my mind is enough to let me ignore them.

But I generally suspect our minds are noisy when we experience strong emotions. I’d say “especially strong negative emotions,” but strong positive emotions are likely as loud, but we welcome that noise.  

When this verse came up as the day's verse, I immediately thought of the Israelites as they stood between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. I’ve shared that verse above as well, because it’s not the same, but it has some of the same feeling. If we are distracted by sounds or sights, we’ll miss what God has in store for us. And I keep myself distracted much of the time.

I also thought of a “tiny poem” I read during Advent last year:

Advent is the hush in the theatre between the house lights going down and the curtain going up. (Amy Scott Robinson, Tiny Advent Poems - engageworship)

The house lights going down is a signal to the audience to be quiet because the movie or play is about to begin. Those who don’t simmer down and get ready to enjoy the entertainment are likely to be told, “Shh!”

We need to learn to understand when God is telling us “Shh!”  and to tell ourselves, “Shh” as well.