Go and Be Still

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

I appreciate how God can use two seemingly contrasting ideas to bring us in a closer relationship with Him. It is in these details that He reveals His character; the stirring of our faith from comfort to reliance. Again I am drawn in by a recent post by Mr. Standfast, where he discusses God’s desire that we draw near to him:

I am convinced that the great need today is not for still more activity, not that we "get it in gear," "hop to it," "look lively," or "push ahead," but that we draw near. Not that we run hard, but that we be still.

The contrast is provided by Teresa at Restoration Station, where she focuses on going forth in the Lord:

I think that it is interesting that the word "GO" is mentioned around 1500 times in the Bible. Now of course that is in many different contexts, but "go" is an action word, and we must MOVE in order to go. In comparison, the word "STAY" is only mentioned around 35 times.

How can I go while being still? Perhaps the key is in how we go, or why we move. Am I following Christ, or simply moving ahead in the hopes that He will follow? Stillness is listening to the Lord even when we think we have it figured out. It is waiting for Him to direct our goals, not approve them. In Psalm 46, God reminds us that we can better see His greatness when we cease our busyness.

Even work for Him will distract us from Him when we focus only on the task.