Are you busy? It seems like most people these days are running around trying to get 30 hours of stuff done in a 24 hour day. Jobs, appointments, kids’ sports, meetings, chores, errands, recitals; the list goes on and on. Then if we ever have free time, it feels so awkward that we try to fill it with something: binge watching Netflix, the honey-do list, hobbies, etc. We are busy people.

Below is a one question pop-quiz. Circle the correct answer.

Which statement can be found in the Bible:

  1. Experience life to the fullest
  2. Be still
  3. God helps those who help themselves
  4. They will know you are my disciples by your social calendar

The answer is B. Over and over the Scriptures tells us to be still (Ps 46:10, Ex 14:14, Zechariah 2:13, Hab 2:20, 1 Sam 12:16, Ps 37:7, and lots more). The devil has done a very sly job of convincing us that we need to be busy all of the time. But God’s Word tells us to slow down and take time to be still and meditate in the presence of the Lord. Yes, God does want us to work diligently for His kingdom. Yes, we are supposed to run our race with perseverance. But far too often we fill our time with stuff that has nothing to do with our relationship with Christ (i.e. Facebook, sports, entertainment).

Stillness doesn’t come easy for us. It requires sacrifice. We may have to give up a job, a school sport, a social club, a smart phone, a TV subscription. But as the Bible says, “If your __fill in the blank___ interferes with your relationship with God, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose something than for your whole body to go into hell” (Matt 5:30 paraphrased).

Please don’t let the devil convince you that you can build your relationship with God later. Take time today, right now, to “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10).