My brothers invited me to join them and some other family in hiking the Grand Canyon this summer. They have invited me before, but I was never able to work out my schedule to go with them. I can't convey how excited I am at the opportunity. My family took a vacation out west when I was three. So, I have been to the Grand Canyon, but I don't remember it. I'm excited about the chance to do more than see the Grand Canyon; we are going to hike from one side to the other in a single day. On top of that, my youngest son, Nate, is hiking with me.
To hike down and out in a day requires training and preparation. I have been exercising and training with Nate for the past few weeks, but this last Saturday he was not able to join me when I went for a six-mile hike. Hiking with others is great, but sometimes it is nice just being alone. I seldom get chances to do things alone, and I am not complaining about that. I enjoy doing life with others. However, I wonder if I am so busy and with others so much that I neglect that part of my walk with Jesus. So, let's consider a few verses:
I often forget that being still is a command. Psalm 46:10 states, "Be still, and know that I am God." I am commanded to be still. Being still does not mean I am motionless. It is the idea of stilling my heart so I can recognize God's presence with me. This verse is quoted often, but it is important to remember all of Psalm 46. The psalm is filled with statements about trouble, the earth disappearing, mountains falling into the sea, waters roaring and foaming, earthquakes, war, governments falling, and desolation. That sounds quite familiar with what we see on the news. We hear stories of trouble, natural disasters, destruction, war, and nations striving against one another. We are reminded that it is in the chaos of life that we are to still our hearts and know God. How often do we get alone and still our hearts because we desire to know God?
Being still and alone with God are not new concepts. We observe this spiritual discipline in the lives of many prominent Old Testament saints:
"Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the 'tent of meeting.' Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp....The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend." (Exodus 33:7, 11).
Elijah finds himself alone and depressed when God speaks in a "gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12)
In David's most famous psalm, he hints at being alone and still before his Shepherd when he writes, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." (Psalm 23:1-2)
Being still and alone are modeled by Jesus too:
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35)
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16)
What did Jesus do before He called the disciples? "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles." (Luke 6:12-13)
What did Jesus do when he mourned the loss of John the Baptist? "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." (Matthew 14:13)
What did Jesus do when the crowds wanted to make Him king? "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself." (John 6:15)
We often picture Jesus with crowds around Him, and He did spend time with the masses. However, Jesus models for us the importance of getting away from the rat race of life to be alone and still before the Lord. Jesus often got alone to prepare Himself for what was next. When I was alone on my hike, I was once again reminded of how great and spectacular my God is. I was also reminded of how small I really am, and yet my God loves me and is concerned for me.
Being alone and still is a time to be rejuvenated, restored, and refreshed in our souls. It is a time to remember who God is and who I am. It is a time where I am reminded that He is with me and for me. It is a time to know Him and still my soul to clearly hear His voice. Will we have the discipline to be still and know He is God?
In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR
