10 Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
There is a deep connection between being still, and being useful to God. Working with teens, I have seen an overwhelming busyness that has leaked through from culture and families. This generation has traded in rest for useless busy. Yet it is the call of Christ that is to run counter to this. Many of us are deceived into thinking the more we do, the more useful we are to God and others (including our families). Yet this is a lie from hell. Perhaps we are scared of being unnecessary – proving our worth by our activity – or losing our identity which is shown only by our stillness. It is in the stillness we find the persisting quiet voice of the Spirit.
While grace is always active, it is never busy.
Our kids will learn more from our stillness than our 40, 50, and 60 hour work weeks, for where we spend our valued minutes will show what we value most. I fear reaching the end of my life only to realize it was wasted on the wrong things.
Father, Lord of all, please quiet our lives so we can hear your small subtle voice. Direct our days to what truly matters and not the empty distractions of a exploded schedule. Give us the courage to break out of normal. May your kingdom come. Amen
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