May 27, 2022

Psalm 46: 10 (NIV)

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

If we don’t spend time “with him,” how can we know his heart?

When my boys were little guys, our mornings were hectic. Hurrying was not a concept they understood. Getting them dressed, fed, and out the door was exhausting for this working mom who had to get herself dressed and fed, and who is neither a morning person nor a hurrier. There were a few mornings, though – well, maybe two or three - when we somehow had an extra moment before we had to leave for work and preschool. So we sat together on the couch and breathed. We were free to speak what was on our minds or just to sit quietly and enjoy being together. I cherish the memory of those few precious moments and I think my boys remember them fondly, too.

I have recently begun implementing a similar routine with God. We don’t exactly sit on the couch together but the results are the same.  In my journal, I write, “Be still.” Then I try to quiet my mind. The challenge for me is that a quiet mind usually leads to a sleeping mind but it is worth the effort to stay awake. After a time of stillness, I add, “You are God,” and continue writing what has been revealed to me in the stillness. I have never been more aware of God’s presence than in those moments. Sometimes he reveals things about himself; sometimes we just “sit on the couch” and enjoy the quietness. As with any spiritual discipline, it improves with practice.

If you are looking for a way to turbo-charge your devotional time with God, adding this discipline to your Bible study is a good place to start. Allow him to speak to you through his word then sit quietly in his presence, acknowledging who he is and what he does. You won’t be disappointed!

When the Lord is present, you are not alone.*