Be still and know that I am God: A Post by Darlene Wagler
As I meditated on these words, I began by breathing in the word “God”, reflecting on who he is. Next, I added in the word “know” and took in the ways of knowing God. How does it change when we know God in our felt sense, in our bodies?
When we know God, not as an abstract idea, but whose very breath and life runs through our veins. When we know God like we know a comfortable and familiar grandfather who always took time for us and delighted in everything we did, just because we were his. Like new parents watching their newborn baby breathe, marking every breath with awe, God knows me.
But in the moment, I sensed that I was too full of distractions to know God like that. I was too full of clutter to listen. I couldn’t hear God because I was listening to too many other voices. And then came the words “Be still.”
The context of Psalm 46 describes a cacophony of destruction and chaos. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall, the earth melts. Is this not our world today? Global wars, global warming, the destruction and polarization is not escaped by the smallest innocent child.
Being still in moments of chaos and pain is one of the hardest things to do. When we stop, we feel the depths of grief and helplessness. We hear the parts of ourselves that have been silenced and exiled. We hear our cries, our longings, our loss, our despair. The waves of pain and aloneness wash over us and we are swept under. In our silence and stillness, we are emptied of the things we use to keep our pain at bay. We are hallowed out in an excruciating process that opens us up to receive with humility what we do not know. As we are emptied, we come to know the truth about ourselves.
We are deeply loved, but we are not special; nor do we need to be. No amount of work or brilliance will elevate our status above others and no amount of embarrassing moments or deep shame will diminish our value and place of belonging.
We are loved because we are his and the best thing we can do is: Be still. And know. That he is God.