Whenever I come up with a title for a post I try to pick a perfect example of the subject matter.  This week, I decided to hone in on an example of what “being still” is not … a puppy.

As you may remember, we found an adorable Great Pyrenees puppy in June after our Scooter passed away.  Where does all his energy come from?  Snowball is constantly biting, chewing, barking, or running … except when he’s asleep (and then we adults get to collapse). I’m a lot like a puppy (and you probably know someone who is also).

I have little to no trouble sitting still (my body is built for a chair). At my age, sitting comes naturally. My problem is getting my mind to be still. I’m always thinking of something that needs doing, errands to be run, or lists to be made because that’s my DNA … I want everything to run smoothly. Settling one’s mind seems to be a dilemma many share.

The first time I saw a mountain was back in the 1970’s. Driving through the Rockies beside a curving river, I looked up and was amazed at the majesty.  I remember repeating the verse “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I remember the clarity of the moment dwelling on God’s creation.

So why, after all these years, am I finding it so hard to be still?

Perhaps it’s the rush of living I, and so many of us, are caught up in. We jump out of bed, gulp the coffee, and rush out the door. Then we rush home to get ready for an evening event.  Then, tired to the bone, we crawl into bed so that we can repeat the cycle the next day. Insane, isn’t it?

I am weak; I admit it. Scripture shows me that God does not tell us to be STRONG but to be STILL.  In that stillness, we become strong.  The prophet Isaiah said, “…in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” (Isaiah 30:15).  But God does not stop there, He says, “Be still,” then, “Know that I am God.”

The world tells us to “be still – have inner serenity.”  God doesn’t say, “Be still and know a better way of life.”  He does say, “Be still and know ME.”

So here’s my lesson learned this week – be still, get back to basics, and be still with HIM. Scripture says, “God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” (Deuteronomy 33:27, KJV).

I bet I will be very still and sleep well tonight, just like our puppy, Snowball.

Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries. Learn more about the ministry by liking our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CJEMinistries) and downloading our FREE mobile app (get.theapp.co) from App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, allow notifications to keep you up to date on what’s happening in Cary John Efurd Ministries. Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com. Feel free to comment at debbyefurd.com.