Be Still and Know

I grew up in California and during my childhood we had quite a few earthquakes. I was kind of used to earthquakes growing up. I remember feeling at one point that they were fun - like a roller coaster. 

My mom, on the other hand, was not used to it and found no fun in them. I remember several times, when there was an earthquake, she would be in her room upstairs, and she would start running downstairs? Why? I don't think she even knew why. But, she felt like she had to do something. I know she is not alone as I have heard similar stories from friends and how they react to earthquakes. How do you react to earthquakes?

Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God." I am not sure how familiar you are with Psalm 46, but the context seems pretty terrifying. The earth is removed, the mountains are carried into the sea, the waters roar, and there is shaking. At one point it even speaks of the earth melting . . . .  all of it makes the earthquakes I grew up with seem pretty benign. Yet, in the midst of all this the Lord asks us to "be still."

I immediately think of an inner stillness - stop the worrying, stop the anxiety, stop trying to do everything by yourself and in your own power, stop it. 

It can also mean a physical stillness - stop running around like crazy. Stop putting so much on your to do list. Find the peace. Find the stillness. Maybe you already "know" that he is God - you have a relationship with him, he has been there for you. Maybe you need to allow yourself the time to remember it. Remember that even in the chaos we can trust him. Remember that he loves us. Remember that he is with us. Remember all his blessings and goodness. It can be hard to remember when we are never still.