Two weeks ago, we took part of our family on vacation to Gatlinburg, TN. As you probably know, that popular town sits at the base of the Smokey Mountains.

Once we made the curly, winding path up, up, up through the mountains and trees, we finally came to our cabin. When we stepped out of the car and up a few steps on the porch, there spread out before us were the spacious mountains.

A picture can’t begin to describe the majestic scene of God’s creation. Bright green trees a plenty, and layers of mountain peaks stretched out before us. The peaks were so high that the clouds hovered in and around them giving that “smokey” look.

I spent many a moment on that porch, soaking in God’s beautiful creation. My daughter said it’s like seeing where God’s fingers had pulled along making ridges here and there. How easy it was to sit there day after day in our wooden slider chairs chatting with each other. Or thrilling to the awesome (in the original sense of that word), the awesome glory of God on a quiet morning by myself.

Well, yes, it is easy to be still in such a heavenly setting, but then of course we have to come back down to the platau of our regular old life. Back to the computer, the 95-degree heat, the regular everyday tasks. Where is our “be still” time now?

We have to live most of our time on the flat plain. (Wouldn’t you know, I recently taught the Sunday School lesson about the Sermon on the Plain from Luke 6!)

So here’s our challenge. Be consistent with “being still.”

Psalm 46 is not attributed to David (the hillside shepherd boy) but it speaks of the mountains, the roar of the waters, and river streams. The psalmist began with,

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble. Psalm 46:10 

Then he reminds us that God says,

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Where do you go to be still before Him? A favorite outdoor place? A special chair in your house? It doesn’t matter. The main thing is to take your mind and heart with you as you move into a time of being still with your creator..

~ Joyce ~