Being Still  

Posted by JG

I believe most people would recognize Psalm 46:10 if they heard it. "Be still and know that I am God". I was recently thinking on this verse and wondered, "What does it mean to be still?"

It seems that this is an important concept because 1 Kings 19:12 says that God speaks to us in a still small voice. I know what a small voice is, but what does it mean to speak in a still voice? I thought that perhaps a still voice can only be heard in a still medium. Like the way that still water can only be seen if there is an absence of waves. Perhaps a still voice can only be heard if we are also still.

I don't think that stillness is something that can be put on like new shoes or a smile. I do not think it is an unresponsive stoniness towards life, but a recognition that we are not our circumstances.

2 Chronicles 20:17 says to me that stillness is not a dull-witted inaction, but a stillness of perception. That is, being able to see things rightly and respond rightly to them.

I picture stillness like an ocean. Many people live in a boat on the surface of life, and every wave of stress, contention, and trouble tosses them about. But if a person were to travel deep into the ocean, there is place below the mightiest hurricane which is still. I guess the closer we are to that place (spiritually speaking) the more likely we are to hear the still, small voice we seek.

The point though is that it is easy to find stillness when everything is going your way. When things are not going your way in life, what do YOU do to find stillness?

This entry was posted on Dec 17, 2008 at 12:39 PM . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

7 comments

Anonymous  

I have 2nd Timothy 1:7 posted next to my computer at work. When I start feeling overwhelmed or inadequate, I read it, and remember what God intends for me. I find stillness in refocusing my energy on the one thing that I know which really matters. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and wants me to be happy.

December 18, 2008 11:20:00 AM MST
Kelly  

For me stillness takes faith sometimes. Faith that God is not ignoring me. Faith that I can do all things through Christ.

December 18, 2008 6:22:00 PM MST

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December 24, 2008 3:06:00 AM MST

Oddly enough, I've found that sometimes "being still" entails just that - being still. When life is hectic and fast paced, and my mind trying to go even faster, sometimes I have to just stop everything. I turn of the radio, shutdown the computer, and just sit. I even resist that temptation to bounce my foot up and down in some kind of nervous anxiety. It forces me to get a handle on what I'm feeling inside, and after all, that's how God speaks to us most often - through our feelings.

January 3, 2009 4:03:00 PM MST

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Betty


http://www.my-foreclosures.info

January 9, 2009 9:38:00 PM MST

I agree that being still means being physically still. I think the picture you have with this post beautifully illustrates why being physically still allows us to better hear the still small voice. Just as a drop of water is much more noticeable on a still sheet of water, the still small voice is a drop of light more noticeable on the intelligence of our own spirits when we are still.

February 22, 2009 4:41:00 PM MST

Hi
I stumbled across your blog on LDS BLOGS. I thought you mighe be interested in a site my wife and I just built called MormonsMadeSimple.com, which uses simple, explanatory videos to explain the Mormon faith. Feel free to feature any of these videos on your blog, or just share them with non-member friends. We're hoping these videos will be missionary tools to help members share their beliefs. Anyway, sorry to spam your comments section. I couldn't find any contact information for you on your blog.

- Doug & Laurel

March 2, 2009 7:21:00 PM MST

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