Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
We live in a culture that often celebrates being busy. Our calendars are full, our phones keep buzzing, our inboxes never seem empty, and the list of things needing our attention continues to grow.
When someone asks, “How are you?” one of our most common responses is, “Busy.”
But busy does not always mean productive. Sometimes busy is just busy.
We can spend our days moving from one responsibility to another and still miss what matters most. We can be active without being effective, occupied without being purposeful, and exhausted without being fulfilled.
Psalm 46 offers another way: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Let’s Reflect:
Psalm 46 is not written in the absence of chaos. The psalmist describes mountains shaking, waters roaring, nations raging, and kingdoms being moved. Yet amid all this disruption comes a divine invitation: Be still.
The Hebrew expression translated “be still” carries the idea of ceasing, releasing, letting go, and stopping our striving.
God does not say, “Be still because nothing is happening.”
God says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Stillness is not necessarily inactivity. Stillness can be an act of trust.
It is recognizing that everything does not depend upon us. Every problem is not ours to solve. Every invitation does not require our acceptance. Every request does not require an immediate response. Every open space on our calendar does not have to be filled.
Sometimes we need to stop long enough to discern the difference between what is urgent and what is important, between what keeps us busy and what makes us fruitful.
Imagine a hamster running on a wheel. Its little legs are moving quickly. It is expending tremendous energy. It certainly looks busy.
Yet after all that running, it remains in exactly the same place.
Sometimes our lives can feel the same way.
We are answering emails, attending meetings, meeting deadlines, caring for others, managing responsibilities, solving problems, and planning what comes next.
But are we moving toward what really matters?
Movement is not always progress. Activity is not always productivity. And exhaustion is not always evidence of faithfulness.
Jesus modeled a different rhythm. Even with crowds waiting, people needing healing, disciples needing direction, and ministry waiting to be done, Jesus intentionally withdrew to pray.
There was work to do, but there was also a soul to tend.
That remains true for us.
At Scarritt Bennett Center, we understand that meaningful outward work must also be accompanied by an intentional inward journey.
Working toward hope, peace, justice, healing, and transformation requires moments when we become still enough to listen to God, to ourselves, and to one another.
Stillness gives us room to ask:
· Am I simply busy, or am I being purposeful?
· What am I carrying that I need to release?
· What am I doing because I feel obligated rather than called?
· What might I hear if I became quiet long enough to listen?
Sometimes the most important thing we can do is stop doing.
- Put down the phone
- Close the laptop
- Step away from the noise
- Take a walk
- Sit in silence
- Pray
- Breathe
- Listen
- Rest
Because we do not always have to be doing something for God to be doing something.
While we are still, God is still God.
While we are resting, God is still working.
While we are waiting, God is still moving.
Let’s Act: This Week’s Soul Work
Create 10 intentional minutes of stillness each day this week. No phone. No email. No television. No multitasking.
Simply become present.
Be still. Breathe. Listen. Know.
Then ask yourself: What do I need to stop, release, or reprioritize so that my life is not simply full, but fruitful?
May we resist the pressure to measure our worth by our busyness. May we make room for rest, reflection, discernment, and renewal. And may our journey inward prepare us to journey outward with greater clarity, compassion, courage, hope, peace, and justice.
Let’s Pray
God, our refuge and strength, quiet the noise around us and within us. Teach us to recognize when our busyness has become a distraction from what matters most. Give us wisdom to know what deserves our yes, courage to say no when necessary, and grace to release what we were never meant to carry.
Create within us space to breathe, listen, discern, rest, and renew. As we journey inward, prepare us to journey outward with greater purpose. May our lives not simply be full, but fruitful. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Amen.
Be Still,
Rev. Dr. Sondrea L. Tolbert
Executive Director & CEO
Scarritt Bennett Center
Creating space for a more just world.
