Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
This year has been filled with upheaval and uncertainty. Covid, racial tension, and the election have impacted people’s lives surfacing anxiety and anger. Whether you have been impacted directly by these circumstances or not, we all feel the groans of the world and are teetering on the edge of our seat eager for this all to be over.
People are feeling out of control. Our daily comforts from knowing what our schedule will be every day to knowing a paycheck is coming in every week have been disrupted. Riots, masks and debates have now become our new norm causing divisions in our world, churches, and even families.
How do we walk during this time of prolonged uncertainty? The silence, wondering how long, and feeling out of control are making people want to take control and act. People are spending thousands to build swimming pools to survive the quarantine, riots are surfacing because people don’t want to be silenced anymore and presidential candidates are verbally exploitive as they fight for their positions.
However, the Bible’s call to action is completely contrary to the world’s current actions. First, the Bible calls us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). God’s Word tells us to be quiet before the Lord and have a heart of trust and rest during this time of uncertainty. Though it may seem like the world is falling apart, God is sitting on His throne and is as in control over your life as He was when times were better.
Secondly, we are called to live a life of peace. Titus 3:2 calls us “not to slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.” James 3:27 says, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
During this time, I heard about an unfortunate situation where a faithful member and leader of a church left because he found out his pastor was Republican. I’ve also heard about divisions happening in the church due to Black Lives Matter. In an effort to ‘take a stand on issues’, people have ceased to be peaceable people. Riots have surfaced and the hurt are now hurting others.
Friends, social media is not the first place we need to go. The first place we need to go is on our knees before the Lord and in His Word until our hearts are still before Him and able to trust Him and love all people. Second, if we want to make change, we must start within the circle of influence around us. In the quietness of your community, reach out to someone who may be black and ask them how they have experienced racism. Submit to our government, put on your mask quietly and don’t judge others. Lastly, vote and pray God will lead our future leader. Do this all in quiet not attracting attention to yourself but bringing glory to God.
Be still and be a peaceable person. My prayer is year 2020 will be the year you look back and see God use the circumstances to grow your faith in Him. I pray it will also be a year when you were able to reflect God’s light by being a peaceable person in a volatile and divisive world. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and bless you with His presence.
~Edna Lee
