Be Still

Some time ago, while on a plane to London, a recent college graduate sat next to me. Ella, we’ll call her, wondered about her future. She had a degree in nursing and was biding her time working in a nursing home. Clearly, she was restless and intently looking forward to the day when she would have the ideal position. And, more importantly, know exactly what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.

Through my years of teaching and ministry work, I have encountered many Ella’s. Students often question what their future will hold, which college to attend, what area to major in, and what the perfect life will look like for them. This time of year, full of graduations and other key life events, often magnify the meaning of these questions. Dreams and wishes are coupled with the anxiety of the “what if”.

Time and experience has shown me, and this is can be hard to stomach, there are no exact answers. There are very few times when I have truly felt I’ve hit the bull’s-eye spot on. And, my guess is, many others feel the same way. We longingly wait for the “ah ha moment”. When things don’t go quite how we had anticipated, we question if we’ve made the wrong decision or if we have heard correctly from God. More and more, I am convinced navigating the unknown is how we were meant to do life.

“Be still, and know that I AM God” (Psalm 46:10). Though I’ve heard these words often and have earnestly taken them to heart, it wasn’t until just a few days ago that these words really saturated my soul.

Be still.

Know that I am God.

As I shared my new learning with a friend over coffee, he, in his seminary wisdom, noted the meaning in the original text. The words “be still” come from the Hebrew verb rapha, which means: to be weak, to let go, to release. In other words, surrender.

In that surrender, when we realize we are not in control, we provide God the opportunity to come into our lives and experience the fullness of all He has and desires for us. Even when we don’t feel Him or see a logical step, He has us in His hands and we can trust Him.

To those of you graduating or moving on to the next step, congratulations! Now, as you look to the future, rest in knowing He loves you, you can trust Him, and He will guide you. Earnestly spend time with Him. And, don’t despise the days of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10).

To those of you graduating or moving on to the next step, congratulations! Now, as you look to the future, rest in knowing He loves you, you can trust Him, and He will guide you. Earnestly spend time with Him. And, don’t despise the days of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10).