“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
During this time of quarantine, this verse seems to be stuck in my mind. Being still is my nemesis. I’m a doer. I’m a fixer. Being still goes against my nature, that’s how God created me. Now, he puts in front of me a great challenge.
The original Hebrew word used for being still is ‘Raphah’. It means to stop striving, to cause yourself to let go, to willingly submit ourselves to God and his control, surrender to God, to slacken off, leave alone, become weak, to relax, to let alone, to be quiet, to be silent, inactive or still.
Yes, this pandemic has created space and time for the complete Hebrew definition. This virus is forcing us to evaluate how we spend our time in “being productive”, how we interact as a family, how to appreciate human closeness now that we are forced to be distant.
Still, be still, and know that God is at the core of everything. When we are still with God…
We become small, and he becomes BIG.
We surrender our will and accept his.
He reminds us we are not alone.
We begin to put our trust in him.
His whispers are heard.
Peace will be found.
We know who he is.
Rest will be found.
He is in control.
We can let go and let God be God.
Be Still in God,
Liliana Mariano, Director of Children’s Ministries