The thought of being still in today’s fast-paced world creates confusion, unrest and distraction. What does it even mean to be still? Isn’t that being lazy or being derelict to the chores, tasks and assignments that we stay so focused on? Isn’t the solution to all problems and the secret to our goals and dreams a commitment to being busy?

Psalm 46:10 states, “Be still, and know that I am God.” There we go with “still” again. To be still seems almost antithetical to modern life. In the stillness is where we find God and can rest easier knowing that He will fight for us, and life is a series of battles large and small.

1 Kings 19:11-13 provides more insight: “Then the Lord said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord;^* the Lord will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord—but the Lord was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the Lord was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.

When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” It was then and there that God spoke to him.

The modern world is a noisy one, whether with sounds or voices and messages that assault our senses in advertising, emails, social media and more.

We should be still and listen closely. Stillness is more than the lack of movement; it means to still our minds, our hearts and our thoughts. While we do not need to literally go to the entrance of a cave, it helps to move to a place where we can listen. It is there, in the moment, that God wants to communicate with us. In that stillness of mind and body, we can realize that God fights for us.