Be Still and Know

I said, in a previous post, that I would come back to this image. Here I am, again.

I've been thinking today about the phrase, "Be still and know that I am God." What does that mean? As I was thinking about that question, I came across an blog post which says that today is "silent Wednesday" in Holy week, because the scriptures are silent about what happened to Jesus on Wednesday.

What does it mean to be still? Does it only mean to be quiet? I think it means more than that.

Chris Tomlin writes:

In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there.
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait, Only for You,
'cause I want to know You more;

As I prepared to write this post, I was trying to think of an image which portrayed the idea of a quiet place. And then I remembered this image. God invites us to know him more. He invites us to this quiet place. To be still, and know that he is God.

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

My mind, my heart, my spirit
Is anything but quiet, God.
Worries, stress, unanswered questions
Race through my thoughts.
What do I need to do to answer the question?
Where do I need to go to be the answer?
What's next God?
Where next?

And God answers,
Be still and know that I am God.
Rest in me.
Quiet your thoughts, and listen for me.
Stop relying on yourself so much.
Rely on me.
Find peace in me.
Be still and know that I am God.

But, God, there is pain.
There is hunger, there is loneliness.
How can I possibly answer all of this?
I am frozen. Lost in possibilities.
If I do more, God,
If I make more lists,
Finish more tasks,
Am I doing your will?
If I do more, God,
I can fix it.

And God says,
Be still, and know that I am God.
Quiet your busyness.
Listen for direction.
Find the joy of service
Where I send you.
Be ready to love
Be open to me
And I will send you.
Be still and know that I am God.

But, God, I don't have time for quiet.
I don't have the place or the minutes.
I have so much to do.
Stop talking to me God and listen!
I have all of these prayers,
All of these concerns.
If you would just do what I ask,
then I might be able to fix all of this.

And God says,
Be still and know that I am God.
Stop trying to BE God,
And just be YOU.
Who I created you to be.
Be still!
Stop moving,
Stop talking,
Stop worrying,
Stop demanding,
Stop judging,
Stop trying to be me,
Because you will fail.
Be still. Know that I am God.

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" Luke 24:18

And finally, they knew that he was God.

Edited to add: Found this after I wrote this post: Henri Nouwen on Listening -- worth the time to read.