Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God.

We reflect on this passage every day in our time together. The importance of stilling our minds, getting present, and knowing God.

The essence of this verse is to let go of the awareness of time, demands, expectations and distractions. To get fully present in a moment. We live in a world that is so fast paced, day-to-day our interactions with our kids, people that we encounter, family members can happen so quickly that if we’re not careful we don’t allow ourselves to be fully present in them.

In the original Hebrew of this psalm, Be still, the word is harpu, A more literal translation of harpu would be "cause yourselves to let go". Rather than merely being passive, we are instructed to actively let go. To let go of expectation, let go of preconceived thought, let go of distraction. Be fully present, attentive and available.

Be still and know that I am God is obviously taking about how we are to be present in the presence of God. Can we apply this same principle to our everyday interactions?

Can you think of a time were you look back and said, wait what just happened? Or what did I just say? Or what did you just say?

We let our minds get so far ahead of ourselves that often we don’t take time to be fully present, attentive and available.

One thing that we know for sure is the time we have here on earth is finite, it’s limited. Like grains of sand in an hourglass when it’s gone it’s gone. Let’s make the most of the moments that we have, Be fully present, attentive and available.

Find the beauty in them, find God in them, find connection with those around us in them… Not rush through as if we have unlimited time to spend.

Father, help me to be more present in everyday life. With you, with family, friends and with strangers. Thank you for the time you give us, the opportunities to experience you and others, help me to actively let go of distractions that keep me from all that you have for me, in the moments that I have. As above, so below.