Be still and know that I am God. –Psalm 46:10
I have a reader board hanging in my kitchen, and I put that verse up on it 6-9 months ago. I don’t even know why I picked it at the time–maybe because I thought it would be a good verse for my kids to internalize?
But, as it turns out, it’s been one that I’ve been working on internalizing. It’s almost like God knew I was going into a period of focusing on being still (go figure). I’ve needed to slow down. Breathe. Trust in Him. Let Him calm my spirit.
That Mom Life
The life of a mom seems like it’s constantly go, go, go. In talking to other moms, I’m pretty sure it’s like that for everyone. As a working mom, I’ve always had an element of constant busyness, trying to keep the house in some sort of order while working full time and still trying to take time to focus on the kids.
Then this fall I took on a new role at work, which included a lot more coming at me. I’ve been loving it! But it makes it even harder for my brain to turn off at the end of the work day. I’ve found myself repeating, “Breathe. Don’t hurry. Slow down. Be still.”
So, before I knew I was entering the season of internalizing that I need to be still and remember that He is God, I’d put it up on my wall.
But God doesn’t ever just tell you something once, does He? He drives His points home by bringing the message to you over and over and over again, in different formats. Like the reader board in my kitchen, an off-hand comment from a friend, and a podcast that got me rethinking my attitude of hurry.
Still My Soul, Be Still
Another way He had it come up during this season was through the song Still My Soul, Be Still by Keith and Kristyn Getty. It’s one of my mom’s favorites. It was what she needed to hear during a hard time in her life, so she learned how to play it on the piano, and last summer she arranged to accompany me and a long-time family friend singing it. We practiced and recorded it, and for about a month afterwards the song ran through my head.
Then she sent me the recording, and I thought it would be fun to turn into a photo montage. It took me some time to go through my pictures and find some good ones to use, but a few weeks ago I sat down and created it. Again, the song lyrics started running through my head, reminding me to be still and trust that God is on my side–I can rest in Him.
A full four months after originally recording it, I revisited the lyrics again, and internalized them once more. It was another reminder right when I needed it. Be still. Know that He is God. Rest in Him.
I’m sure God will keep bringing this point up to me again as I get distracted by other things and start to feel the sense of urgency to go, go, go. But I hope this also serves as a reminder for you. You don’t need to rush. God has a plan, and you can rest in Him. Ask Him to still your soul.
Lyrics
Still, my soul be still
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow
God, You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone
Still, my soul be still
Do not be moved
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows
Hold onto His ways
With shield of faith
Against temptation’s flaming arrows
God, You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone
Still, my soul be still
Do not forsake
The truth you learned in the beginning
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise
As stars appear when day is dimming
God, You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone