Learning to Be Still

Learning to Be Still

By Brent T. Lively

For the past several years, I have been intentionally learning how to slow down and be more attentive to God. It has greatly enhanced my relationship with the Lord. However, it’s not always easy to be still. Even when we are practicing social distancing, or laid off from a job, or quarantined in our own home, it can be difficult to be still.

I believe that social distancing in order to flatten the COVID-19 “curve” is an opportunity to practice slowing down and being more attentive to God. However, this is not easily done if we haven’t practiced slowing down in a while.

In Psalm 46, God calls Israel to stillness; “Be still and know that I am God” in order to reflect on God’s greatness and goodness (Psalm 46:10). In the stillness, we are invited to slow down and remember that God himself is our refuge and our present help in times of trouble. It is in the stillness that we can become more aware of God’s presence, if we only push through the uncomfortableness of solitude. In the stillness, we will often be forced to face our fears.

Social distancing and sheltering at home have taught me how to calm the storm in my own heart by being more aware of God’s presence. Through the stillness, I am learning how to get in touch with some of my deepest desires and allow my will to be led more from my heart than from my head.

It won’t be long before social-distancing will be over and we will all get on with our lives. However, I pray that we don’t miss an opportune time to become more attentive to God and to others. We can’t do this in our own strength either. There is a place, a river (according to Psalm 46), a metaphor that speaks of the reality of the incarnation of Christ and who lives in us. This river causes kingdoms to fall, desolations to cease, and wars to cease. And it calls us to a greater stillness so that we can more fully exalt the Lord in a time of pandemic.

Take time to be still this week by slowing down and be more attentive to God. Take a break from media devices and learn to quiet your heart. Pay attention to the natural beauty around you and begin to discover the richness of God’s presence all around you.

Prayer for slowing down

Almighty God, I thank you for revealing to me that this is a time for people to be still and exalt You. I thank you Lord, that in the midst of the tribulation, your spiritual river of life is flowing. Cause your river to flow in me and through me to bring life into every situation. I renounce all fear from my heart. I will exalt the Lord in this present trouble. God is my refuge and strength, my present strength in times of trouble (Psalm 46). I choose to slow down and be still, knowing that you are God and that I am your child.

Amen