Take the Time

In a family-favorite version of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, a puppet lamb can be heard to say, "No, no, no. I just want to sit here . . . sigh . . . and rest." Each of us can sympathize with that particular sentiment. The hustle and bustle of life carries us hither and yon, and it seems like there's just no time to be still. Such has been my week, which I really should have seen coming after preaching Sunday night on being too busy. (Life is nothing if not ironic.)

As a wise person once said, though, when you're absolutely too busy to take a break, to be still for a moment, that's absolutely when you need to do it the most. Things which can't seem to wait often can; most deadlines seem to be self-imposed. I'm not lobbying for procrastination, mind you, but a bit slower pace than the frenetic scurrying to which we all seem so accustomed. It's important we recognize we can take a breather when we need to; those little breaks are good for our souls.

Psalm 46:10 simply says, "Be still and know that I am God." When things get crazy, frantic, and too high-pressure, make the world stop. Take that thirty-second or five-minute break and simply be still. And while you're still, pray. Call to the One who holds the universe in His hands. Remember that He is God, He alone has the power to do all things, He alone knows everything about every situation. Give those situations over to Him. Seek His will; listen to the proddings of the Holy Spirit; do all God leads you to do. And remember this, too: once you've done all you can, you can't do anything else. But the One who sits on the throne of heaven can do everything.

Be still. Know He is God.