Be still and know

Be still,

and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

Presumably, being still is a necessary part to knowing that God is God. Unfortunately I'm not very good at being still.

In fact, it's kind of a joke around here--that being still doesn't come easily to me. I tend to jump up after five minutes or so, remembering something that needs to be done, someone I need to call, something I forgot to do. 

Sure, I sit still to read a book, to watch The Brady Bunch (or Wonder Woman, which came yesterday, but that's a whole different post), or to have my quiet time. But to just be still--and do nothing else? That feels like an impossible task to me.

But one I want to learn.

So I looked up some definitions to get a better understanding of what it means to be still. And here's some of what I learned:

be still (Hebrew: raphah, pronounced rafa)

to sink, relax, sink down, let drop

to abandon, relax, refrain, forsake

to let go

to let alone

to be quiet

know (Hebrew: yada)

to know, learn to know

to perceive and see, find out and discern

to recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess

to consider

to be instructed

Here's something I found interesting. The word for be still is also translated as fail elsewhere in Scripture. And in each instance, it first states that God is with us and that he will not fail.

I want to learn to be still. And so I'm going to try something new in my quiet time. I want to sink down in my huge, comfy chair, relax, refrain from doing anything, let go of my desire to do and accomplish, and just be quiet. To consider that he is God.

I'm not sure I can do this for even five minutes. But I want to make this part of my quiet time. To put down my pen, to put down my prayer book, and just be still. 

Comments

[Kimberly]

Thank you for your sweet note which arrived yesterday. Your friendship is deeply appreciated.

[beki]

This is a HUGE challenge for me. I've been thinking about this lately, how I can be still. You can imagine my surprise when I popped over here this morning. Yes, I think this is a sign!!

[Angie]

Oh, you'll find it so rewarding, Joanne! I'm actually surprisingly good at being still with the Lord. Unfortunately, these days, if I'm "still" for too long, I doze off!

I love your definitions; they help to give an even better understanding of how to go about being still.

[Peggy]

LOVE my bag!

[Beth]

The joke around here is that I do a lot of "running around" the house--I have a hard time just being--I am certainly a "do-er." Someone suggested once that I just sit and do nothing--and I think the expression on my face must have been one of complete shock and disbelief: a) is that even possible and b) why would I want to do that?

Perfect for me to read today--the definitions hit home with me, particularly the note that God will not fail. Thanks for the inspiration to try this in my quiet times again.

[julie]

I definitely need to work on being still... especially in prayer!

Looking forward to a post on Wonder Woman... we recently borrowed the first season from a friend. The kids got a kick out of the invisible plane and loved when Diana's sister came to visit.

[SUsan]

Would you believe that being still takes practice? Lots and lots of practice. Just like anything else worthwhile!

[Linda]

I long to be able to do that as well Joanne. I have difficulty getting my mind to just stop for a few minutes - stop thinking about the next thing or something totally unrelated to spiritual things. I know that it is in that still place I will hear His voice. I am trying to learn to listen.
By the way - I hope I get to see you at the Siesta Fiesta. I live just a little north of SA and am counting the days.

[Amanda]

Loved reading those definitions. Even... to fail. Wow. So He can succed... and we know it was Him! So wonderful to just KNOW He is. I think I'm gonna keep this post to ponder on again. Thanks for the encouraging comments and prayers. He lifts us up! Have a great weekend in doing... and in being still!

[Marla Taviano]

Yeah, my fam has the same "joke" about me. I needed this tonight. I should go be still with God right now...

Stopped by to say that I wrote a little blurb about you on my blog just now.

Hugs to you, friend!

[Holly B.]

I too, needed this, Joanne. Thanks for sharing!

[meredith]

I think it is worth it I actually start my daily time with the Lord that way; I actually found it easiest to be still lying down. It may sound strange but that is what works for me. Take the time and experiment and do what is best for you, I also find walking in a quiet place with no music or anyone else is a nice hello. Not sure if I am helping with this but just don't get too legalistic, I believe it comes naturally and it may differ for each person.

[Annabelle]

Being still is hard for me too...and sometimes if I'm too still...I fall asleep! Quiet time is a big struggle with me right now!

[amber]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I've been struggling with the same thing--it is just so hard for me to be still and focus. Thanks for the definitions. It always helps me to go back to the original text of God's Word to discover His true meanings. Thanks again for sharing.