Be Still

Every few months I have the opportunity as part of a local ministerial (a gathering of local ministers) to write an article for the "Local Press." I never know what to write for these things. But here is my latest effort anyway. If you have any suggestions for me for future articles I would really appreciate them! Thanks.

Be Still and Know

Now that the weather is finally warming up, and it seems to be staying, we all begin to think about the coming summer. We think, finally, we will be able to slow down and relax. We will finally be able to enjoy time with our families. During the school year things are just so busy. I mean we have to take Johnny to hockey practice and games how many times a week. After dropping Johnny off, we have to take Susie to dance practice or skating lessons. Not to mention making sure they get all their school work done.

Even though I am not a parent yet, I know what this is like. I was one of the causes of my parents running all over town to make sure I made it to sports practice of some kind. Parents get excited at the end of hockey season because finally, we can maybe slow down…but then soccer starts up, then baseball…you name it there always seems to be something.

We live in a culture of busyness. We are busy people. We don’t really have time for “extra” things. We don’t have time to slow down and to look at the things around us. We don’t have time to “stop and smell the roses.” Often times in this busyness, we get caught up, we lose focus of something that is important: we lose focus of God.

Some people think, when summer hits then I will be less busy, then I can spend more time with God. Summer is supposed to be a time of relaxation, and rest. But in this part of the world, it seems to be the opposite, it seems to be when people are the busiest. God calls us even in the midst of all this busyness to focus on him. He says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

This is difficult for most of us. We just don’t have the time to “Be still.” One of the things that I have come to love about where we live is the opportunity to get out and to see all that God has made. We live not too far from a couple of National Parks. We live close to the mountains. We can see amazing things at different provincial parks. It is amazing to take the time to “be still” and see what God has done. This summer, I hope that everyone is able to take some time to get out and see all God has made. To take time to “Be still and know that [he is] God.” It isn’t always easy to take the time. But when you do, you will be refreshed and renewed in knowing that the one who created all things, that he is God.