Be Still and know!

I have just returned from vacation. I promise to not bore you with pictures or stories of my time away, but I will tell you it was good to have some "down time" as we like to say. The phone was turned off, and the only clock we used was the placement of the sun in the sky.  Ahhhhh.................

Okay, I am back! I was reminded during the time away how important it is to take time to stop, to be still, and to be at rest. I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am in such a rush that I get ahead of myself, and maybe even get ahead of God, and I soon forget that I am not the leader. How important it is to take time to stop, be still and rest.

A favorite verse of mine is Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God." Be still! What is surprising is that this verse comes at the end of the psalm Martin Luther used as the basis for the Lutheran fight song - "A Mighty Fortress." Singing that hymn never conveys silence and peace to me. But maybe there is a sense of hope and comfort knowing that God is in charge. Peace. Be still.

I have found this verse to be a great prayer.  Simply take off a word or two at the end of the verse each time, and there you will find a new reflection:

• Be still and know that I am God - God is in charge
• Be still and know that I am - that is the name of God given to Moses to share with Pharoah - "Tell Pharoah that 'I Am' has sent you."  I Am = Yahweh. God IS.  Not "God has been" or "God will be." NO. "God Is!"
• Be still and know - know that God is the one who loves you. God knows YOU. And the one God knows is the one God loves.
• Be still - there is nothing you can do to make God love you more. There is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Be still.
• Be - God created you. In God's eyes you are precious.

I pray you find time to be still and know.

Peace,
Pastor Charlie

A great song based on this verse