Be Still

2020 is behind us – for many the after effects still linger. When we come to a stop or a standstill God can be sending us a message. Often it is one we do not want to receive. The message often is: Be still.

Be still and turn to me.
Be still and accept that you are not autonomous.
Be still and accept help.
Be still and lean in.
Be still and walk in my light.
Be still and let go of your control.
Be still and let go of your fear.

Fear is what keeps us, from being still and walking out our faith in God. There are real fears that come when you consider letting go of control to God. Fear is intricately tied into our lives. Fear of losing those we love; fear of failure; fear of losing face; fear of aging; fear of pain; fear of being alone; fear of being exposed for who you really are; fear of not being loved; fear of not being good enough; fear of never being able to wear high heels again. You know your fears. I know mine – fears we never knew were there. God asks us, rather helps us, to stop and listen, to be still and acknowledge these fears. To let go.

When God says stay still it requires a greater faith. And humility. Often our sense of identity is tied up in what we do, what we achieve personally, socially, with family and work. But God is not contained to the things that we do. For, the things he calls us to do become an act of worship. We can let the Mary, the Tabitha, the Leah, the Rachel, and all of the other wondrous personalities in God’s people do their stuff for God in the knowledge that he is in it all, we are all being used for his glory. We read that Jesus says "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Jesus’ gentle answer to Martha reminds us that few things really matter and only one thing is necessary. Whilst Mary found it outside the bounds of her expected duties as a woman scholar in a patriarchal Jewish culture where no amount of criticism, fear or questioning could take it away from her, Martha found it in the gentle reminder to slow down, let go and to be careful of challenging, judging, another person’s choices; for, you never know when she may be sitting at the feet of God.

In this incident God calms the fears of his children without belittling them, condemning them or disciplining them for their fear and it helps me realise some things about God. God is okay with our feelings because he has feelings too – let’s face it, he knows your heart, your secrets and darkest fears. So, overcoming fear, so we can be still, is not about learning how to control our feelings, they are known. It is about our response to fear. If we react to fear we risk withdrawing from God, turning from him and fighting for control.

We have had to learn to trust, to give things to God, and be guided by the Holy Spirit, for the situation to be his will – his good and perfect will which is the best end we could want. God calls us to a deeper faith. His blessings are on the other side of that growth in faith. And it starts with being still. Our identity is not in the things we control, but as a child of God who trusts and obeys him. To hush, pause, and be still. So very challenging.

When God asks you to be still – he is asking you to love him with all of your heart, soul and mind. To trust him and obey him. As Matthew 22:36-38 reminds us of the greatest commandments to love God and our neighbour.

God’s will for your life is so simple and yet so complicated. Love God. Love others. The specifics of what that looks like in your life will be different than others but the general pieces are the same. How do you love God with all your heart, soul and mind? Trust Him and Obey Him. Learning to Be Still leads to learning to Abide in Christ.

Andrea Grear
Head of Senior School