Be Still

This morning I read a devotional about being quiet before the Lord, waiting on Him and listening for His still, small voice.  I definitely struggle with trying to run ahead of God or just "help Him out."  Somehow I got the idea that I always need to be working to improve something or to move forward in some way.  But I remember Psalm 46:10 and I hear a different message: “Be still, and know that I am God."

I was interested in the original word for "be still," and looked it up to see how it is translated throughout the Bible.  Here's what I found: to abandon, abate, be disheartened, be quiet, forsake, idle, let alone, let drop, refrain, relax, show oneself slack, sink, sink down, withdraw.

Apparently, being still isn't exactly what I imagined - passive, hanging out, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for God to say or do something.  It seems it's actually an action - abandon, forsake, drop, withdraw - my plans, my opinions, my expectations.  Come to God empty.

I read this yesterday in One Thousand Gifts:
"Instead of filling with expectations, the joy-filled expect nothing - and are filled.  This breath!  This oak tree!  This daisy!  This work!  This sky!  These people!  This place!  This day!  Surprise! [...]
'God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth' (Matt. 5:5).  The humble are the laid-low and bowed ones, the surprised ones with hands open to receive whatever He gives.  He hands them the earth.  The earth. [...]
To receive God's gifts, to live exalted and joy filled, isn't a function of straining higher, harder, doing more, carrying long the burdens of the super-Pharisees or ultra-saints.  Receiving God's gifts is a gentle, simple movement of stooping lower (p. 170-171)."

Be quiet, release your cares to the Lord, rid your hands of whatever you're clutching onto and free them to receive all from the Father's hand.  Give thanks.  And know that He is God.