(Minister Well Newsletter, November 2017)
As we enter the busiest season of the year for ministry leaders, a few words about stillness seem appropriate. For as long as I can recall my favorite verse has been Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God. It has been hung on my wall as a reminder. I’ve studied it as the basis for a seminary course paper. These words even find their way into speeches I give. And, of course, the verse is often referred to in my counseling office. God never misses an opportunity to remind me to slow down and focus on Him. Even with all of this familiarity with Psalm 46:10, it was just recently that I realized how many of us genuinely don’t know how to be still. Of course, we all know the familiar adage based on Hebrews 13:21 – When God calls, He also equips. The same is true here. He doesn’t just tell us to settle down, He teaches us how and why. The verse – Be still and know that I am God – is a behavioral directive (be still), based on a particular thought (He is God), that results in an emotional and spiritual peace.
Body
Stillness is often seen as inactivity and therefore is not particularly valued in our society. We are over-stimulated to the point that we entertain ourselves by checking our phones at stoplights. With that we have a high blood pressure epidemic in our country, we are disconnected from others and from ourselves, we suffer burnout at alarming rates, and spiritual life is a far cry from the early church modeled in Acts for many of us. Yet, it is essential that in order to get to the second part of our key verse – know that I am God – we learn how to do the first part – be still. From relaxation exercises, to sauntering down the beach, to a hot shower or bubble bath, to watching the clouds go by, there are various ways that we can learn to be still in our bodies. The important aspect of this piece is to be intentional in being still. He doesn’t say take a nap or chill in front of the television for a while. The kind of stillness that is being spoken of here is a purposeful and expectant stillness. God is telling us He wants our full attention with every aspect of our being, even our breathing and our movements.
Mind
Once we have been intentional in our physical being, we are ready to direct our thoughts in a healthy way. The words “know I am God” can mean so many things to us. They can remind us of His sovereignty, His power, His gentleness, His otherness, His provision, His gospel and our salvation. To me though, He is reminding me that I am not God. Even on the days that we cry out to answers from Him, we can take comfort and find refuge in the reality that we are not God. It is God’s invitation to us to take the burdens off of our own shoulders and to bask in Him. The behavioral directive is to be still, admit and accept our weakness in ourselves (2 Corinthians 12:9-11) and then watch with great expectation and know to our core that He’s got this (whatever this is).
Spirit
When we have established a practice of being physically still (even if just for 15 minutes/day) and trained our thoughts on the truth of who God is, then we will find peace in both good times and hard times. We are comforted and encouraged not by simply knowing that God’s in control, rather by truly knowing Him. The ultimate truth being that He is God! God, the plural noun used in this verse expressed singularity and majesty, implies with these few words the historico-redemptive work of the Trinity: election and creation of the Father, incarnation and redemption of the Son, and regeneration and sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, there can be no greater peace than that found here – Be still and know that I am God.
Challenge
· Be intentional in being still, being weak before God.
· Believe that He’s got “this” and watch with expectant stillness.
· Find peace in knowing Him and knowing that He is God.
Wishing you good health – mind, body, and spirit.
In Him,
Heather Clark, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, PY 7620
P.S. Happy one-year anniversary Ministry Well! We have grown nearly 4 times over thanks to readers like you forwarding this newsletter with the forward link below. Thank you!
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