Day 2 - "Be still, and know that I am God"

Be still.

Be patient.

Those are two things that I struggle with.  I'm not an 'I want it NOW' kind of person, but I do tend to want things to happen in quicker-than-timely manner.  As for being still, well, that doesn't happen very often either.

What I am learning is that being still and being patient don't always apply to my interaction with others, but in my faith journey as well.  It is in my stillness and my patience that I will find the answers that I am looking for.  

When my former organ professor and friend passed, a colleague of mine and I were standing at here casket at the visitation.  My colleague looked down and touched our friend's hand and said something that I will never forget:  "Her hands are so still...and a musician's hands are NEVER still."  She was right...a musician's hands ARE never still.  We, as musicians...especially church musicians, are always using our hands to prepare for our work...our ministry.  But, even though we may not be able to keep our hands still, we must keep our hearts and minds still and listen...listen for that guidance that will help us continue.  Have the patience to wait for God's message to come through.

David Haas wrote a beautiful song entitled "You Are Mine".  I've had the joy of playing this for congregations to sing and, most recently sang it in church with the choir.  It speaks to that part of me that needs to be patient and still:

I will come to you in the silence.

I will lift you from all your fear.

You will hear My voice,

I claim you as My choice,

Be still, and know I am near.

I am hope for all who are hopeless.

I am eyes for all who long to see.

In the shadows of the night,

I will be your light.

Come and rest in Me.

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow Me,

I will bring you home,

I love you and you are mine.

So, while it may be hard for me to "be still" and "be patient", I know that I must be.  Otherwise, how will I hear the message...the plan...intended for me?  

Patience, while a must in dealing with others in our lives, is something that's imperative that we have with ourselves.  I do not have a lack of patience with others...but am guilty of a lack of patience with myself.  I tend to not have the patience with myself to ALLOW myself to accomplish the goals that I have set for ME.  I tend to let my own failures or mistakes quash those goals.  It is in THOSE moments that I must be still and listen...not just to myself (or my own body), but for that voice that "will come to me in the silence".

I journey on through this day with two goals in mind:  Be still and listen...be patient and learn.

Peace.