Still

I realize we are halfway through January, but I’ve finally settled on a word for 2022. This new year has been a struggle for me. Typically I spend the week between Christmas and New Years in reflection and prayer. 2021 concluded with hot tears and sleepless nights, I was too weary with grief to attempt to pack up the previous twelve months or plot out the next twelve. But slowly, the grief is subsiding and I am reassessing.

This little book has been a great solace to me this past month or so. Peter Scazzero writes of the ancient practice of ‘Daily Office’ – two minutes of centering silence, a scripture reading and reflection, a short prayer followed by two more minutes of centering silence. The scripture I have chosen as my centering prayer is Psalm 46:10. I sit still with my hands in my lap; palms upward and I meditate on “Be still and know that I am God.” I try to practice this at least twice a day, but I’m learning to touch base through meditative silence more frequently.

“He says, Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

Still.

It’s a strange word, a little unsettling even. But it is the word that has been chasing me down and soothing my spirit for the last month or so. When the Lord first whispered it in the end of December, I balked. Being still is certainly not my strong suit, but He calls us to stillness. He even stills us! I sat in this discomfort of this little word a while and then I began to think about how God is still: still faithful, still sovereign, still all-powerful, still on the throne, still in control, still loving, still merciful, still glorious, still present, still enough. What is my response to His still? I will still serve Him. Still trust Him. Still put my hope in Him. Still look for Him in every situation and still pour out my praise and thanks. The more I pondered, the more this little word ‘still’ has intrigued me, even surprised me. Let’s look at Webster’s definitions: I think you’ll discover the potential of this five-letter powerhouse.

Still

/still/

adjective

not moving or making a sound.

similar: motionless, unmoving, stock-still, immobile, stationary, at rest, inert, lifeless

opposite: moving, active

noun

1 deep silence and calm, stillness.
“the still of the night”

similar: quietness, quiet, quietude, silence, stillness, hush, calmness, tranquility, peace, serentiy

opposite: noise, disturbance

2 an ordinary static photograph as opposed to a motion picture, especially a single shot from a movie.
“film stills”

adverb

1 up to and including the present or the time mentioned; even now (or then) as formerly.
“he still lives with his mother”

similar: until now, even now, yet

opposite: no longer

2 nevertheless; all the same.
“I’m afraid he’s crazy, Still he’s harmless.”

similar: nevertheless, however, in spite of that, notwithstanding, al the same, even so, be that as it may, having said that, nonetheless, but, howbeit

verb

make or become still; quieten
“She raised her hand, stilling Erica’s protests.”

similar: silence, hush, calm, settle, pacify, soothe, lull, allay, assuage, appease, subdue, abate, quiet, lessen, subside, let up, moderate, slacken, weaken, fade away

opposite: stir up, get stronger, get up

Wow. There’s a lot to unpack, right? Still is a powerful little word, isn’t it? You can see how I’ve been considering stillness for weeks. This morning’s daily office reminded me again of the Lord’s loving call to stillness.

“Help me embrace the gift of my limitations.” (Peter Scazzero)

Psalm 46:10 swept through my mind again as I considered the unlikely gift of limitations. My inability to do it all keeps me ever-dependent on Jesus. Not enough time or money or energy or strength or intellect sends me straight to the throne room for help. Less keeps me tethered tightly to my Source.

If we contemplate this verse in it’s completeness, we realize our stillness results in His exaltation. It is only in stillness that we recognize our limitations rightly. It is in stillness that we learn the timber and tone of His voice, hear His heart and set out to truly KNOW God. It is in stillness that self shrinks back and God steps forward. Stillness hands over the reigns and makes room for His leadership. Stillness reminds us of our station and His sovereignty. Stillness is where we figure out how to step out of the way and say “Thy will be done.” In stillness, we are made small as God grows large again and He gets the glory.

We might notice the verse just after the famous one about stillness; it’s pretty amazing as well. To me, these twos scriptures are read together like a promise and it’s fruition.

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:11 NIV)

Stillness is one of the strongest ways we learn to recognize His presence. God is always with us, but sometimes we struggle to sense His nearness. Stillness leaves the loud crush of the daily for a few moments so we can find God dwelling just above the din. It is then that we discover the refuge of His presence; a fortress, really. He is a stout protection against the accusations of the enemy and the weariness of the world.

Lord, please assist us in our practice of stillness. Make us stop throughout the day and refocus ourselves on You. Quiet our heart in Your presence, in critical moments of conflict, conclusion or change in direction. May we begin to include You in the day to day details of living on earth: no just shouts for help or breath prayers of thanks, but through moments of silent repose in Your presence, with a mind cleared for feedback. Let us learn to wait on You in the midst of our coming and going. May we find You to be our refuge and fortress. We believe You are near, may we know it to be true. Be exalted throughout the earth and begin with us. Amen.

BONUS: I just noticed that Peter Scazzero’s book is FREE on Kindle. You might download it while you have the chance. 🙂