"'Be still and know that I am God.' I read in this familiar verse two commands of equal importance. First, I must be still, something that modern life conspires against. Ten years ago I responded to letters within a couple of weeks and kept my correspondents happy. Five years ago I faxed a response in a couple of days and they seemed content. Now they want email responses the same day and berate me for not using instant messaging or a mobile phone."
His time table is now a little off, but the concept is still very true. An awareness of God, an emphasis on being rather than doing, even a few minutes of quiet do not come naturally to us in this hectic, buzzing world. We must be intentional in carving out time to allow God to nourish our inner man.
The Latin imperative for "be still" is vacate.
"God invites us to take a holiday [vacation], to stop being God for awhile, and let him be God." ~Simon Tugwell
Often we consider prayer a chore, when in fact God wants us to take a break!
Yancey goes on to explain, "Stillness prepares me for the second command: "...know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Only through prayer can I believe that truth in the midst of a world that colludes to suppress, not exalt, God."
Choosing to Vacation Together...