Be still, and know that I am God.
(Psa. 46:10 NIV)
Two Alabama State Troopers were in hot pursuit of a bright red Camaro speeding east on I-20 toward the Georgia line. The car was flying, no sign of slowing down. The veteran Trooper, driving in front, called over the radio, “He’s headed for the state line!”
Moments later, the Camaro crossed into Georgia. Without warning, the veteran pulled over to the shoulder and stopped. The rookie skidded in behind him, jumped out, and shouted, “Hey, Sarge, why’d we stop? He’s getting away!”
The older Trooper sighed, shaking his head. “Son,” he said, “he’s in Georgia now. They’re an hour ahead of us over there. We’ll never catch him!”
I know that feeling. Not of being in a car chase, but of feeling like I can’t catch up. It seems there’s never enough time in the day. The to-do list grows faster than I can check things off. I often feel one step behind, racing through life and wondering how everyone else manages to stay ahead.
Two Alabama State Troopers were in hot pursuit of a bright red Camaro speeding east on I-20 toward the Georgia line. The car was flying, no sign of slowing down. The veteran Trooper, driving in front, called over the radio, “He’s headed for the state line!”
Moments later, the Camaro crossed into Georgia. Without warning, the veteran pulled over to the shoulder and stopped. The rookie skidded in behind him, jumped out, and shouted, “Hey, Sarge, why’d we stop? He’s getting away!”
The older Trooper sighed, shaking his head. “Son,” he said, “he’s in Georgia now. They’re an hour ahead of us over there. We’ll never catch him!”
I know that feeling. Not of being in a car chase, but of feeling like I can’t catch up. It seems there’s never enough time in the day. The to-do list grows faster than I can check things off. I often feel one step behind, racing through life and wondering how everyone else manages to stay ahead.
I can almost hear the protest rising in my own heart, and maybe in yours too: “Be still? I can’t! I’ve got places to be, calls to make, deadlines to meet, people counting on me! If I slow down, everything will fall apart. If I stop, I’ll fall even further behind!”
And yet, the verse remains. “Be still, and know that I am God.” God asks us to surrender the illusion that we’re the ones holding it all together. Because we’re not. God is.
Peace doesn’t come from finally catching up. It never has, and it never will. There will always be one more thing, one more deadline, one more person who needs something from you. Peace comes from slowing down long enough to remember who God is.
“Be still and know that I am God!”
Prayer: Father, forgive me of those times when I am in such a hurry that I have no time for you. Please quiet my spirit and remind me of who you are and how much I need you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day