Skip to main content

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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more