One of our regulars, Jen, noted that the reflections about being still are helpful in this season, but she hoped we can be more intentional in looking at ‘how to be still’, especially amidst our own busy lifestyles. Let’s then consider Today’s Holy Nougat
Psalms 46:10 NIV
[10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Remaining Still
As we reflect on being still (rather, remaining still), I invite us to let go of the English phrasing for a bit. In Hebrew, the context is less about ceasing physical movement, as it is an invitation to let go [of worry, fear, and stress]. Other transliterations include ‘weak’, ‘relax’, ‘cease’, or ‘idle’. This tells us that God is truly inviting us to allow God to do the worrying for us.
Strong’s Concordance online also includes the following: [i.e., Strong’s numerical code for the Hebrew word transliterates as be still in this text] appears about forty-six times, touching virtually every period of Old Testament history—from the wilderness wanderings (Deuteronomy) through the monarchy (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles), the exile (Jeremiah), and the post-exilic era (Nehemiah, Zephaniah). The contexts cluster around two poles:
(1) physical or emotional weakening and
(2) deliberate refraining or letting go.
Self-Check
How do we feel about Jen’s question – how difficult is it for us to *let go and let God*?
Application
I would argue that our very first step to being still is recognizing that we’ve been too busy to let go. With that realisation, we acknowledge that we are not created as hummingbirds, who spend their lives hovering or flying. In the Creation rhythm we note that Sabbath (the business of rest) is included in God’s routine. Intentional or not, our versions of the Bible begin Genesis 2 with the seventh day of creation after taking us through days 1 through 6 in chapter 1. This allows us to also take a Sabbath break with God from the creation process of Genesis 1 before leaning into God’s identity and power in the rest of Scripture.
In being still, we must take time to hear our bodies’ rhythm. Have we been going non-stop, failing to pause long enough to change gears? It is easy to get drawn into the routines of busyness and multi-tasking. But do we notice that many of the world’s most successful people make time for leisurely pursuits? Golfing is a sport, but for many, it offers the chance to relax.
If our body is out of rhythm because we have been too busy, it may be time to breathe.
Yes, breathe.
Our invitation to breathe offers us the chance to relax. The Hebrew for be still includes letting go and relaxing, remember? If recent social media arguments about pronouncing God’s name hold true, then YHWH represents one breath (in and out). Calling YHWH in one breath moment is prayer. [Some might even equate it with yoga. But it’s better than yoga!] I can attest that in a recent stress moment, just saying ‘Jesus’ aloud, released the frustration, and offered me a fresh perspective mentally.
Philippians 4 tells us that through prayer and supplication, we take our requests to God. Accompany our breath with an ask if possible. An ask helps us define what we think the issue is, affording us clarity in the kind of an answer we should expect.
Next, we listen for God’s response and/or embrace God’s peace. For many of us, that’s the difficult part. It’s a bit challenging to disengage our brains long enough to hear God. As we breathe YHWH, when ‘distracting thoughts’ enter our minds, we place each under subjection by making it a prayer point. In so doing, we aren’t simply getting distracted, but we’re also practising placing our worries in God’s hands. There’s none better for us to give them. When we release our sidebar to Y’shua, we’ll find ourselves more at peace, and better enabled to hear God.
Then it comes full circle. Knowing God means we make time to yield to God’s directive. As Mary told the servants at the Canaan wedding in John 2, let’s do whatever He tells us. That a form of exalting God. That’s one way to acknowledge God’s Godness.
So there we have it. It may sound complex, but could actually be minutes rather than a very long period. There may be other aspects to the rhythm. But after prayerful consideration, these are what I’ve proposed:
recognise we’ve been too busy
hear our bodies’ rhythm
breathe God’s name YHWH
make our requests
listen for God’s response/ embrace God’s peace
yield to God’s purpose and plans
May God be exalted as we practise being still.
Point to Ponder
Which aspect of the rhythm had we missed? It’s time to recalibrate with Christ.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
