Being still

As I prayed this morning, I turned to an article in this week's Sentinel. The focus of that whole issue is how to pray about the weather and that is very timely with what is going on in Florida. One article mentions two places in the Bible where storms are stilled. That is what I will be thinking about today, how to be still when one seems to be surrounded by turmoil or danger. The first reaction should be to stand beside God as Elijah did in I Kings 19. Running for his life from a vengeful queen, Elijah had taken refuge in a cave deep in the wilderness. God came to him there and asked him, ''what are you doing here?" Then Elijah followed God outside and stood beside Him as he saw first an earthquake, then great wind and a fire. But he could see that God was not in those things. After all the tumult died down God spoke to him with a 'still, small voice'. Isn't that what we want to hear when we are frightened and fearful, a quiet reassurance that in fact we are completely safe.

The second incident is in Mark's gospel. Jesus has had a busy day. He and disciples are in one of Peter's boat, far out on the sea when a sudden storm threatens to capsize them. Jesus was sleeping. The disciples wake him, terrified by the storm. He 'arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm'. Oh, how dearly would we all love to be able to do that! Blown this way and that by circumstances that seem beyond our control, battered by relentless waves of debt or resentment or guilt. And then, with the Christ beside us we feel that wind cease. What would follow would be a great calm. Think about it, do you really think a ship with the Christ aboard could sink?

And then there is that reference in my favorite Psalm, "He leadeth me beside the still waters", the best way to see a perfect reflection. Or Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God". Go on to Psalm 107:29, "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still". There are more! When you feel the need, search in the Bible and find others.

Mrs. Eddy uses the word 'still' over 60 times in Science and Health and twice that many in Prose Works. I also love to turn to the hymnal for inspiration. Just look at the third verse in hymn 49, or both verses in hymn 74...and there are many more.

That's what I'll be doing today and I can hardly wait!