Step Out of the Traffic

"Be still and know I am God."

It seems I can't pick up a book, turn on the TV, join in a conversation or hear a sermon lately where God does not seem to be repeating this message. I'd bet that most of you involved in the arts keep hearing this as well and when you started reading this post, you asked, "the 'be still' message again, Lord?"

It doesn't surprise me given the hectic pace of the world of the arts and of our lives in general. Deadlines come every day and every week. Rehearsals, preparation and practice all need to happen in the midst of daily schedules filled with work, family, friends, shopping, children, eating, recreation, community and church activities. The more my heart seeks to love the Lord, the more my soul longs to be filled with His Spirit, the more more my mind wants to think "what would Jesus do?" the more God says to me, "be still and know I am God."

God has this message a number of times in His word. I decided to take a look at The Message translation to put it into context for our busy lives today. The more modern translation of "be still" is in bold face.

"Quiet down before God,
be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder,
who elbow their way to the top." (Psalm 37:7)

Sound like a situation at work you might have encountered?

"Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence before God. Something's afoot in his holy house. He's on the move!" (Zechariah 2:13)

It can be hard to hear God in the tumult of everyday life.

"Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, 'Quiet! Settle down!' The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?" (Mark 4:39-40)

The storms of life keep us from knowing Him and that He's in control.

This one I particularly enjoyed:
"God will fight the battle for you.
And you? You keep your mouths shut!"(Exodus 14:4)

And Psalm 46:9-11, the verses that God keeps putting in front of me, have much wisdom for today:

Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.
Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything."


Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.