Stillness

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Who has time to be still?  Perhaps upon waking you're in a dash to get everybody fed, dressed, and out the door for school and work.  Back at home, there is laundry to fold, meals to cook, floors to wash.  Let's not forgot your volunteer positions and children's schoolwork and events.  The list goes on.  We all know it’s easy to be busy and challenging to be still.

Stillness is defined as little or no commotion or agitation; tranquility; calmness; serenity.  Let's face it:  life that lends itself to stillness isn't the norm.  I submit that one must be intentional about being still and recognize its benefits.   Some of these benefits are:

• Increased ability to connect and know God
• Increased sensitivity in hearing His voice
• Increased ability to navigate life's challenges and minister to others
• Experiencing a greater measure of peace
• Experiencing a greater measure of physical energy

When doing some research for this article I learned that the words still and distill come from the same root.  In the distillation process, the more volatile parts are separated from the less volatile parts, eventually resulting in a more pure and refined substance.  I think that's a great way to look at what happens to us as we become still before the Lord.

I've also realized that we can train ourselves (and our kids) in our ability to be still.  We can start small and take incremental steps in everyday life to make this happen.  I'll throw out some ideas of my own.  But don't stop there.  Get creative in your pursuit of stillness.

• Carve out a special place and time at home designated for the purpose of being still.  Be sure to have your electronic device (or pen and paper for old-school people like me) handy to jot down distracting thoughts that will undoubtedly arise.
• Turn off all noise and phones while driving.  If you have kids with you, make being quiet into a game or contest.  Whoever keeps quiet longest gets a prize!
• Turn off the television.
• Go for a break during your workday, sit outside, and center your thoughts on God.
• Fast a meal or two and spend that time in stillness before your Maker.
• Have listening prayer with your kids.  Turn off the lights, light a candle and sit still before the Lord for a few minutes.  Then let each one take a turn sharing what he heard the Lord speaking to him.

And by the off chance you've got the stillness thing down, make sure you're getting off your duff and giving out.  A pond with no outlet becomes stagnant and so can we.