Advent Day 3: Be Still

Psalm 46:9-11

9  He makes wars cease
 to the ends of the earth.
  He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
 he burns the shield with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
 I will be exalted among the nations,
 I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
  the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Peace.  It is so hard to find today.  We are rushed by schedules, pressured by due dates, tests and project timelines, and then pulled to still perform our regular duties as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, sons and daughters.  It’s enough to make us dread getting up in the morning.  No wonder they call America “The Prozac Nation”. Peace and a centered mind and spirit are at a premium because they are in short supply, especially at Christmas.

But Psalm 46:9-11 calls us to stop.  Be still.  Recognize that God is above all.  God has first claim to our time, resources and attention.  God deserves our praise and exaltation. Are we taking time to slow down, and to ponder on the might, power, goodness and mercy of God? Are we noticing the miraculous nature of the Christmas story?

Today, take a little time to slow down.  Find a quiet place with a hot cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and meet with God.  In the words of Doug Anderson “Reflect that Christ calls us to a new life and a new way of living.  The Christ whose birth we celebrate, claims us for his own.  Advent is a reminder that we must respond; we must claim Christ.”

Prayer:  Today Lord, we stop in the midst of Holiday madness and all that the world demands of us, and we claim YOU as our Savior.  Lord be exalted in our lives.  In the busyness and in the stillness.

-RSL