Distracted by Stillness

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10a)

With summer here, the stormy winter and chilly evenings of recent months have quickly been forgotten.  One morning, however, my heart felt like a lingering storm.   Numerous needs – my own and others’ – were crashing in on me like an unexpected whirlwind. 

 

Casting these burdens on the Lord, I was suddenly awakened to a scene quietly unfolding outside my window.   

Like a fitting backdrop, tall fir trees lining our neighbor’s fence stood motionless, being what they were created to be.
   

Without a word, early summer flowers were telling of their Creator’s faithfulness and love for beauty. 

   

Soon, a sparrow entered to complete the picture, not planting seeds or gathering food into a barn, but happily discovering and enjoying what our heavenly Father had provided for him.

This hushed scene struck me with its peacefulness – a sharp contrast to my stormy heart.

Distracted by this stillness, my thoughts turned to a particular storm in the lives of the disciples – one in which their Maker slept on a pillow.  The disciples weren’t sleeping.  With an unexpected storm crashing in on them, their lives were in turmoil.

But when they woke Jesus, He commanded the stormy winds and waves to be still.

And they obeyed.

Creation busies itself by resting in its Creator’s authority and by obeying the same command given to us:  “Be still, and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10a)

He is God.

And that’s all we need to know to be still.