It’s Quiet in Here… but is it Still? [Day 23]
By Carlin Gerstenberger
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Psalms 37:7 ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10 ESV)
Learn to be calm, and to conduct your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk honestly toward those who are outsiders and that you may lack nothing. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 MEV)
Over the past few weeks, I—like most of us—have found myself in the otherworldly, isolated predicament of quarantine. These unique circumstances are only magnified in juxtaposition with the fact that, over the past 9 months, my time has been packed with climbing trips, business travel, wedding planning, moving, getting married, honeymooning, and more. It feels like life went from an 80-mph highway to a 15-mph school zone. And I—like most of us—have found myself rather uncomfortable with the ensuing lack of road noise; the normalizing hum of life is gone.
And yet, in this time, the Lord has led me on a journey to understand the difference between “quietness” and “stillness”... Turns out the 15-mph school zone slowed me down enough to learn some new lessons!
Scripture refers to “being still” more than a few times throughout both Testaments. What I love about these instances is the fact that each tone and situation is distinctly different. From saints feeling forsaken (Psalm 37) to times of raging nations (Psalms 46) to the budding church development of Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 4), many different circumstances exist. And with these differing situations come unique levels of life quietness, where the amplitude of perceived life activity functions on a full spectrum! So, if quietness (or lack thereof) is directly correlated with life circumstances, what is stillness? In Hebrew, the word is damam. In Greek, the word is hésuchazó. Quite literally, stillness is opposing speech and/or movement, resting, and holding one’s peace (Strong’s Concordance).
Essentially, regardless of life’s volume, being still is slowing down enough to pursue peace. It’s an active heart position. It’s an operative state of mind. And it’s not linked to surrounding circumstances. Much like Jesus commanded the storms of Galilee to be still, so we carry the authority through Him (2 Timothy 1:7; Ephesians 1:18-21) to maintain ourselves in a peaceful state. As made clear in the Psalms, practicing stillness is the precursor to having patience, knowing who God is, and influencing the world. Not only that, but stillness also combats comparison, fear, and pride.
Whether you are experiencing turbulent waves during this time, or are simply shocked by the lack of life noise, we can all practice being still with the Lord. From this place of peace, we can see the Lord’s goodness at work in our lives, hear what He has to say to us in this season and know our identity in Him.
What are YOU doing during this season of quietness?
Are you choosing to look around and be distracted by the shift of pace, the world’s response to crisis, and others’ situations that look different than yours?
Or are you pursuing peace in your heart and mind and taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) in order to hear what the Lord has for you in this season of life?
Prayer
Father God, show me how to practice stillness and peace during this time. I want to know You in a deeper way, and be led by Your Holy Spirit as I navigate life’s full spectrum of volumes. I do not listen to the voices of comparison and fear, but instead know that You are the one who works things out for the good of those who love You. I rest in who You are, and who I am because of You. I am open to the words You are speaking to me, and trust in Your guidance as Father, Provider, and Friend. In Jesus’ powerful name, amen.
