Being still doesn’t always mean you’re stagnant

“Be still and know that I am God.” — the first time I encountered this verse, I applied the first part literally on what I was going through…which basically meant I didn’t do anything about it.

I thought stillness meant passivity. I missed the part about knowing God. I was so focused on going through that certain situation instead of inviting God, seeking Him so I can know that He is God. I got still in decision-making, but my mind was doing all kinds of acrobatics—juggling worries, fears, weighing pros and cons, and the uncertainty of everything.

It wasn’t really being still before God. Or I was being still, but in the wrong way. I think it may have been analysis paralysis. I was stuck in a loop of going to God with my questions, but not completely trusting Him and His character. Instead, I went and put other gods on the throne that’s meant to be His alone.

I’m so grateful the Holy Spirit’s work in exposing my idolatrous heart. At that time, He used everything around me—my church community, emails on my inbox, seemingly random DMs… I was wrecked. I forgot to go to God for who He is and not for what I’m seeking after.

Going back to the title of this blog… I may have written this to comfort myself… because I’ve been feeling really stagnant lately. But I also think this is my way of checking my heart…

How am I handling this season and all that it brings?

When was the last time I opened my bible to know Jesus instead of getting a motivational nugget that can get me through the day?

When was the last time I went to God just to get God?

And the answers to these questions can only come if I get to being still and know that God is GOD.

I want to resolve to see stillness in a different light. Just like how a seed has to be still underneath the soil for it to grow, may our faith be still and find its roots on Jesus and His finished work, our unchanging God, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

And may this resolve remain unshakeable, not because we’re good at resolving… but because we know… He is God.

Oh, and the whole verse (Psalm 46:10) even says: “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”

He is exalted already. He is sovereign all our concerns. He is then when this psalm was written, He is exalted today…now… What a God we have.