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Perched upon my porch as the sun peeks over the trees this morning, the ominous prayer list before me seems to weigh fifty pounds. The contradiction of the glorious peace of the birdsongs and the gentle shaking of leaves in the wisps of breeze with the sense of chaos at the recognition of so many needs around me is…huge.

It seems like there are moments like this from time to time when I have this angst – most of it not even for myself but for those I care for and with whom I serve – that drives me to roll up my figurative sleeves and dive into the hard work of prayer. Yet, so often in these moments, when I begin to think that I simply must, I hear in my spirit that sweet, gentle whisper that I know so well.

“Be still.”

But I have all of these people I need to talk to You about.

“Be still.”

But I have to discuss these things with You if I am going to be a faithful pastor.

“Be still.”

But –

“Be still.”

Most people of biblical faith are familiar with this powerful statement of God:

“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

We always tend to focus on the first part of that statement – that we ought to be still and know that He is indeed God. That’s not a bad thing, but that’s not all that He gave us. He said that He will be exalted. He will get glory for Himself.

Part of me sees that and I think, “Wow. God is really kind of selfish, isn’t He?” The truth is that He absolutely is. But think about this for a minute. If He is who He says He is, then He is, in fact, the only being in existence for whom it is not wrong to be selfish.

This morning, as my responsibility for my list growls at me, the whisper in my spirit tells me to be still because these many things on this list in this world that seems to be unraveling at every seam are in the supremely capable, infinitely wise, and perfectly loving hands of God.

He urges me to stop and just let Him do it. And He reminds me in the beautiful stillness of the morning that He’s still got the whole world in His hands.

You may be reading this today and you’re just not sure about this whole “God” thing. I get it. I understand your doubts. But would you consider the possibility and right now, in your heart, ask God – if He is real and if He is listening like I suggest that He is – to convince you?

Will you pause for a few moments and reflect on this truth?