Be Still. Be still. Beeeee Stilllll. Why is that so hard?

We had a prayer workshop this past weekend and the first reading was the story about Mary and Martha. Martha is busy doing all the chores where Mary is sitting by Jesus, listening to his teachings. Martha wants acknowledgement of her completed tasks and Jesus just wants her to be in the moment. Don’t we all act like Martha in our daily lives? Isn’t it hard to just sit and be with our thoughts or be in the moment in a conversation?

That was another point in our workshop-silence is OK. You can’t listen if you’re too busy talking. Later that day, this topic came up again. I think it was a sign. Then, sitting in our Bible study room, while watching our video, I look over and see: Be Still and Know that I am God. Psalm 46:10. Ok, I think three times is enough in two days to get my attention: Be Still.

I like to listen to contemporary Christian music on Pandora and then also in the car. It’s weird how you can hear a song many times and then a line just jumps out at you when you need it. I feel it’s God talking to me. The past few days, it’s been a song called “Just Breathe” by Jonny Diaz. It talks about how we get so busy in our lives that we forget to just breathe. Some of the lyrics are:

I’m busy, busy, busy, and it’s no surprise to see
That I only have time for me, me, me

Chorus:

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need

Is to take it in, fill your lungs
The peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe (just breathe)
let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what’s good and find what’s best
Just breathe (just breathe)

Wow. I just heard the song again today (I guess I need to keep being reminded of that one). Before our church service starts every Sunday, we’re told to take a deep breath and it helps to focus ourselves on the moment. It’s easy to get caught up in doing things that we forget who’s really in charge. We want to figure things out as fast as we can and not just let it be God’s will in God’s timing. This is and will always be a challenge for us all.

One thing that may help you is to do a quick chant of “Be still, be still” and take a breath. Or “Be Still and Know”. Trust me, it helps!

So when you finish reading this: Stop, take a breath and say, “Just breathe”.