In Stillness, Peace

          A simple line from Psalm 46 has redirected my fearful, frustrated thoughts that arise in life’s troubling circumstances or experiences for a long time.  Many years ago, a large sign with this sentence written in big, black letters was right at the entrance of the church we had taken my mother to, the same Presbyterian church I attended growing up.  This is the bit of God’s truth from the psalm:

          Be still and know that I am God.

another translation reads, Cease striving and know that I am God.  In other words, be calm, serence,  tranquil, and at rest or peace.  Look at the greatness of God, not that of whatever is before you.  Simple instructions but sometimes impossible to achieve if I go at it on my own.

          Turmoil, in the world, in our country, or as close as in our own family—everyone finds themselves in “troubled seas” at times.  For me, finding an inner peace or serenity, a calm and powerful expectation of good comes from allowing God to rearrange my thoughts and emotions.  Now were I a refugee in the Middle East fleeing destruction and having a very uncertain future, I would be faced with a greater physical challenge than I have ever personally known.  What would it take then to find peace in my circumstance and in my heart?  Let me just say, I can't imagine such a thing.

          Ironically, our lives can be drastically changed in a moment whatever our physical circumstance.  An AARP commercial that I have seen many times features a woman who tells us she is in her 60s.  Enthusiastically if not smugly, she talks about her “big plans” for the future, and all she has in mind to do.  I am still in my 60s but in a moment, the future I envisioned became radically altered when my husband suddenly died.  God’s peaceful presence is unwavering, unchanging "a refuge and strength, a present help in trouble" (from the opening sentence in that same psalm).His words settle my spirit, encouraging me to be patient and calm as I walk along this unexpected path.  I never tire of hearing His soothing words: be still and know that I am God.