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Be still. Stillness is not a celebrated virtue in our regular culture. If someone asks, “How are you doing,” one of the most respected and expected answers is “busy.” Then everyone knows we’re not wasting our time or lives on idleness. How might others react if told them “I’ve been still?”

Yet being still actually requires a lot of effort. We have to stop doing whatever we’re physically doing. But we also have to still our minds from all the motorcycle thoughts racing around our brains. To “be still,” when we face problems, challenges, or situations that need attention, seems wasteful. Yet if we can be still AND KNOW THAT GOD is GOD, we can gain essential perspective that will focus our actions and calm our racing thoughts.

I wonder if this is what Jesus did on the Wednesday of Easter week. We’re not sure if he went into the temple that day or stayed in Bethany. Maybe he spent the day being still before His Father to gain the strength and focus for the greatest trial of His life. If so, I can see the wisdom of this approach. He would have opportunity to remind Himself of the greatness of His Father. He would have space to block out all the arguments and criticisms of the authorities, to refocus on His Father’s redemptive mission. He could gain resolve to move forward in the face of tremendous difficulty knowing that His Father would back Him and remain faithful throughout. He could quote to Himself the Scriptures which reaffirmed the reality of His Father’s Goodness and Love.

We do know that Jesus often found a solitary place to pray. He comes from the place of prayer with wisdom, strength and perspective for the next steps.

We all need that for each of this situation. Be Still and Know that I am God. Cease striving and know that I am God. Stop trying to solve everything in your own strength and know that I am God. Cease imagining worst-case scenarios and know that I am God. “The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.”

“Lord Jesus, you faced the greatest trial anyone would ever face, during Easter week. Yet you still prayed and turned to your Father for strength. Help us to be still in body and mind. Help us to hear well the comfort and counsel of our Father. Help us to know that He is God and Lord over all. Help us rest in You, our fortress.”