A Moment of Silence 
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

"Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

At a sporting event I recently attended, we took a moment of silence to show our respect for a player who had died.  It’s not often that I am surrounded by thousands of people (or even just a few for that matter) and not hear a single word spoken…just silence.  When I look back at my year, all I see are countless events, meetings and to-do lists that have all been checked off as completed…not quiet moments.  Of course, as I look forward to the weeks ahead I simply see a list of meetings, events and to-do’s that have yet to be done.  As usual, I will wake up early, work on the list, get the items done, check them off, and collapse into bed exhausted from yet another busy day.

Sound familiar?

I am surrounded by “to-do’s” – a lot of them good, a lot of them for God – but in all the hurry, sometimes I forget “to be.”  Even in doing good things, we are called by God to be His people before doing His work.  It does not always come naturally, this sit and be still.  It’s easy to be still with the television on or when listening to music, but to be quiet, just being still to hear God…that’s when the brain kicks in with the nonverbal to-do list.

The verse above found in Psalm 46 continues on to say that God will be honored by every nation and throughout the world.  Why wait for tomorrow?  My New Year’s resolution this year is to take time each day to be still.  To take time to be reflective on who God is and all He has done.  Not simply when I crawl in bed, not only when I sit on the couch, but to take time each day and simply rest in God’s greatness.  Taking time each day to recognize His power, His might, and His omnipotence.  Not in order to gain something for myself, not in the hopes that He uses that time to speak to me or fill me up, but simply a time to honor Him and recognize His power and might.

May one of our “to-do’s” for the New Year be “to be.”

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GOING DEEPER:

1. In what ways are you working towards “being God’s people” in your daily life?

2. How can you make sure to focus on being still before the Lord, and honoring Him not just in your actions, but in silent and still reverence as well?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 37:7-20; Mark 4:35-41; James 1:16-23


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