Just Be Still
Earlier this year, around the end of February, my dear friend, Adrian, told me she had been listening to a new podcast called “Fight Hustle, End Hurry.” As we talked about our jobs and our upcoming girls trip at the end of March, she encouraged me to listen to this podcast when I had the chance.
I decided to begin listening to it. The episodes blew my mind. I felt so convicted. I had never realized hurry was something hindering me, especially my relationship with Jesus. I prayed for God to help lead me away from the hustle and bustle and open my eyes when I was giving in to the hurry.
Y’all, God answers prayer.
As the story goes, around mid-March, our vacation was cancelled, and any other plans I had made for the month. The NCAA tournament was cancelled (and as a huge Hoosier fan, I was upset), then schools and stores began to close, and eventually we were told to stay home. Now, I am not saying God sent COVID-19, but I can see how He is using this time for us to grow and learn, and hopefully change how we live. We, as a society, view always being on the go and striving for the next best thing as having it together. We forget to step back and take a breath. We are always on the move, ready to take on the next task on our to-do list.
We now have an opportunity to slow down, rest, and be intentional with our time. We have an opportunity to be present in our phone or FaceTime calls, enjoy our time with our family without distraction, and actually spend some uninterrupted time with God. We have a moment in history to just be still. The Hebrew translation of ‘be still’ is to drop or to let go. When Psalm 46:10 says, ”Be still and know that I am God,” the scripture is basically saying, let go and let God be God. He has given us a precious opportunity to do just this.
Now, you may be saying, “Whitney, this time is so stressful for me! I’m concerned about my job, my family, my health, my church.” I get it; I really do. This time can also be scary. This time can also be lonely. But God is not intimidated by your feelings of fearfulness or loneliness. Instead, turn to Him. Spend some time with Jesus and find out His true character. You will find you will no longer feel scared or lonely.
Matthew 11:29-30 - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Psalm 62:1 - Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.
Corrie ten Boom, a Christian Dutch watchmaker who saved hundreds of Jewish people during World War II, once said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” Right now in these uncertain times, that may be what God is asking of us; to be still and trust Him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Whitney can be described by the opening lyrics of a few Tom Petty songs. She's a good girl who grew up in a small Indiana town who loves her mama, Jesus, and America too. She practices medicine as a physician assistant at an urgent care. Whitney is a music enthusiast and leads worship at her church. She has a heart for people, and wants to help young girls and women find their worth in Christ rather than what the world says of them. Whitney loves a good dad joke, the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, Southern manners, working on her fitness, attempting Pinterest crafts, and cheering on Indiana University basketball.