Cease striving, be still and know that I am God
“Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
--Psalm 46:10 NLT
DURING these past days I was given the privilege to speak to our beloved public school teachers during their mid-year performance review. May I take some space from this column to greet all the teachers of cluster 2 under Dr. Arlene Pernes, around 500 of them, who gathered this week at the Ma-a Central High School, and then later, I spoke to the teachers of San Roque Elementary School. Today, I will spend some time at the Don Julian High School and then the next day, at Lower Tamugan National High school. Add to that one more... ‘Happy 60th Anniversary’ to my alma mater, Halls of Life Bible College. Now that you have a glimpse on what my schedule looks like, you now understand why I am so attracted to and at the same time, rebuked by what the Psalmist said in Psalm 46:10 "Be still and Know that I am God". I long for spiritual stillness in my heart, nonetheless, my schedule speaks of busyness. Little by little, I begin to understand that when I am still, not hands on, I am out of the traffic of the urgent that I can begin to take a loving look on our God.
To desire is one thing... to decide is another and in the long run, delighting in ‘being still’ is really an authentic display of spirituality! Aside from that, it affects your schedule; it invites you to surrender busy activities to God so he can transform them into dinner-dates kind of intimacy. Being still and knowing God also defines spirituality. The stillness of the heart clears all lines so I can connect with God and hear Him speak. Here, my spirituality is defined and refined. In stillness you do not become humble. Silent people are oftentimes labeled as spiritual... not necessarily so... yet, on the other side, silence is inevitable to cultivate spirituality.
In the spiritual stillness of the heart, I am being taught powerlessness. Slowly and silently, my roots grow deep in Christ, and in grace... the stilled heart is in communion with God in prayer. This etches the true meaning and practice of Dependence on God alone. When one is truly dependent on God, he or she experiences depth.
From this spiritual depth comes out the fountain of delight! Routines are refreshed, duties are done with delight. Love for God and a God-centered life are the results of this radical spirituality... from rules of rigid religion into a willing and holy love affair with the Almighty!
The stillness of the heart is really ‘cease striving and knowing who God is’. In solitude, finally, we are captured by God who desires our company more than we do for Him. By the way, learning to be still in the heart is not an achievement to boast of... it is a spiritual encounter with God; a unique transformation that is done here on earth and not on the other side, and a timely awakening from God. Remember, being still and knowing that I am God... here begins credible spirituality. Amen.