“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
I see this quote all the time. Pinterest is filled with artsy pictures of this verse, the words aesthetically displayed in swirling script on gorgeous backgrounds. It has been one of my favorite verses for a few years now, but not for the reason you might imagine. It is easy for me to know that Yahweh is God and I know He is in control. I do not struggle to realize His sovereignty over my life. The hard part for me is being still. I can’t seem to be still and quiet long enough to listen to Him speak to me.
On a Christian college campus, or really any campus, it is easy for students to jam events into our already-packed lives. Someone is always working at the BSU or visiting the local nursing home. Food pantries and churches are always asking for volunteers. Worship teams are practicing somewhere on campus for chapel later in the week. Tutors help struggling students. Long story short, there is always something to help out with.
I am a college student. I stay busy. There is always another paper to write or a dozen tests to study for. A teacher somewhere is waiting for me to turn my homework in before the next class. If I am procrastinating, I can usually find a movie marathon on campus to join, or run down to the intramural fields for a quick game of soccer or ultimate Frisbee. My roommates and I have become pros at mattress surfing down the stairs in our dorm. If all else fails, Sonic is right down the road and someone is always up for a drive to get a happy hour slush.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my whirlwind life. I even like staying busy; having nothing to do gets old pretty quickly. I love helping others and serving how and when I can. I want to live out God’s command to love others as myself as fully as possible. But a life full of the things I just mentioned is not necessarily what God asks for from us.
God did not say, “Stay super busy and know that I am God.”
He didn’t say, “Run yourself crazy and know that I am God.”
Because even if our time is filled with chapel and church and worship band and volunteering and Bible study and homework and ministering to those in need, that is still not what we were called to do. No matter how full I pack my life with “God stuff,” I am still not fully obeying His command.
Because God tells us to be still and know.
I don’t say this to discredit the good deeds. They are infinitely important and we are still called to do them. We, as Christians, still must be salt and light to this world and we must show Christ through our actions. We are called to care for the sick and help those in need. Again, I say, these deeds are important. But let us not get lost in them, because they are not where we find God.
God is found in our lives when we make time for silence. When we are still, we can intentionally begin developing a personal relationship with God. He invites us onto His front porch, pours a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and encourages us to just sit and chat. He invites us to unburden our heavy souls and soak in the sunlight.
God wants a personal relationship with us. He says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We are His children, the ones whom He loves, and the thing God craves from us more than anything is to just simply be still and listen to Him speak. He wants us to commune with Him and to let His peace and assurance fill our lives.
Maybe for you, being still simply means focusing your thoughts while you drive to work or school. Sometimes, being still is something we have to physically do. Shut off the electronics and find a quiet place alone to just sit and talk with God. For me, being still always involves music. I think I have a touch of ADD and music blocks out all other noise, giving me the time and focus to dwell on what God is telling me. Some people can listen to God best when they are working with their hands. Painting, drawing, or whatever else you like to do.
It doesn’t really matter how you make time. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you look like. God simply wants you to come. One of my favorite songs is by Crowder. In it, he expresses how simple and renewing it can be to just come as you are:
“Lay down your burdens, lay down your shame
All who are broken, lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home, you’re not too far
So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart,
Come as you are.”
I hope this week you will make time to be still. Run to Him who gives peace and rest deeper than you can imagine. Make time in your day to simply talk with God. You won’t regret it, I promise. Because in the midst of your crazy life, God wants you to simply be still and know Him.
