AMERICANITIS WAS HER PROBLEM. Because of her arrival at a railroad station, a lady had but five minutes to make connection with an outgoing train. As she ran toward the train, a Pullman car porter waved her to slow down and said, “Lady, you better take it easy or you’re going to come down with “Americanitis.” “What’s that?” gasped the lady, to which the porter replied, “I can’t tell you what it is, but I can tell you how it acts. Americanitis is running up an escalator. It is walking rapidly on a people-mover at the airport terminal.”
Have you ever seen anyone running up an escalator? Sure you have. Perhaps you have been guilty of it yourself---trying to catch that plane or get to that interview.
So many of us are getting nowhere fast! Like ants disturbed on an anthill, we scurry hither, thither, and yon. Taut nerves are snapping and over-wrought minds are cracking, with the result that there are more mental patients in hospitals than any other kind.
Centuries ago, the Lord addressed this issue. He saw it coming, so He spoke to us through the prophet Isaiah. And if ever a scripture was contemporary, this one surely is: “Be still and know that I am God. In returning and rest shall you be saved. In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
“But Lord, it’s so hard to be still with all that’s happening in our world. The information highway beckons to me; she lures me to her side with promises of news, current events, politics, entertainment, sports, weather, and a whole host of other facts. It is important that I stay up-to-date and improve my scope of knowledge, isn’t it?” And then I hear within my soul, this refrain, “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“But Lord, this a fast-paced culture. We have to keep up or we will be left behind. There are projects to complete, assignments to finish, goals to meet. The prize is always to the swift. Everyone wants it ASAP. In fact, they want it yesterday. The pressure is on to produce in record time. You understand, don’t you, Lord?” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“But Lord, how can one be still when the world is so filled with constant racket? Highway noise, sirens, car stereos, television, crying babies, telephones, factory whistles, clocks, beepers, cell phones, lawn mowers, chain saws, barking dogs. There is no end of clamor. Even nature offers no help for there is always the distant sound of the call of the wild.” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“I wish I had more time for you, Lord, but the demands are great. There is so much to do. The church needs my gifts of service. My boss expects me to finish that project. My wife wants me to devote more time to our relationship. My children want me to help them with their school work. And beside all of this, I need to take time to care for my body. Exercise is important. Right?” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“I am so tired, dear God. My strength is sapped, my energy depleted. The demands upon my time have left me weak and numb. I can’t think straight. A quiet time is the last thing I am interested in, even though I know it is the very thing I most need. After I have rested, I promise to get alone with You. You do understand, don’t you, Lord?” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“My mind is more preoccupied than ever, Lord. It is so difficult to concentrate for even a few moments. I find myself thinking of the day’s events---appointments,, chores, etc. I know I must focus and learn to listen to You. If only I could somehow push out of my min these annoying distractions.” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“But sometimes I feel as did the Psalmist when he penned these words from his anguished heart: ‘Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, ‘O, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert’ (Psalm 55:5-7). These are troublesome times. Fear is running rampant. Fear of the economy. Fear of terrorists. Fear of disease. Fear of growing old. My mind is fidgeting. My nerves are frayed. And then, again, I hear these words ringing in my mind: “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
In the midst of teaching, healing, traveling, and preaching, Jesus never allowed the pace of life to deter Him from spending time with His heavenly Father. Mark wrote, “In the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35).
“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.” Know that I AM. Know that I am in control. Be assured that I am with you. Be confident of My presence. Rest in Me. Let me soothe your troubled mind and calm your anxious fears. Be still and know.
I have a treasure which I prize,
It’s like I cannot find;
There’s nothing like it on the earth,
‘Tis this—a quiet mind.
But ‘tis not that I am stupefied,
Or senseless, dull, or blind;
‘Tis God’s own peace within my heart
That forms my quiet mind.
I found this treasure at the Cross,
And there to every kind
Of weary, heavy-ladened soul,
Christ gives a quiet mind.
My Savior’s death and risen life
To give them were designed;
His love’s the never failing spring
Of this, my quiet mind.
Have you ever seen anyone running up an escalator? Sure you have. Perhaps you have been guilty of it yourself---trying to catch that plane or get to that interview.
So many of us are getting nowhere fast! Like ants disturbed on an anthill, we scurry hither, thither, and yon. Taut nerves are snapping and over-wrought minds are cracking, with the result that there are more mental patients in hospitals than any other kind.
Centuries ago, the Lord addressed this issue. He saw it coming, so He spoke to us through the prophet Isaiah. And if ever a scripture was contemporary, this one surely is: “Be still and know that I am God. In returning and rest shall you be saved. In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
“But Lord, it’s so hard to be still with all that’s happening in our world. The information highway beckons to me; she lures me to her side with promises of news, current events, politics, entertainment, sports, weather, and a whole host of other facts. It is important that I stay up-to-date and improve my scope of knowledge, isn’t it?” And then I hear within my soul, this refrain, “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“But Lord, this a fast-paced culture. We have to keep up or we will be left behind. There are projects to complete, assignments to finish, goals to meet. The prize is always to the swift. Everyone wants it ASAP. In fact, they want it yesterday. The pressure is on to produce in record time. You understand, don’t you, Lord?” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“But Lord, how can one be still when the world is so filled with constant racket? Highway noise, sirens, car stereos, television, crying babies, telephones, factory whistles, clocks, beepers, cell phones, lawn mowers, chain saws, barking dogs. There is no end of clamor. Even nature offers no help for there is always the distant sound of the call of the wild.” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“I wish I had more time for you, Lord, but the demands are great. There is so much to do. The church needs my gifts of service. My boss expects me to finish that project. My wife wants me to devote more time to our relationship. My children want me to help them with their school work. And beside all of this, I need to take time to care for my body. Exercise is important. Right?” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“I am so tired, dear God. My strength is sapped, my energy depleted. The demands upon my time have left me weak and numb. I can’t think straight. A quiet time is the last thing I am interested in, even though I know it is the very thing I most need. After I have rested, I promise to get alone with You. You do understand, don’t you, Lord?” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“My mind is more preoccupied than ever, Lord. It is so difficult to concentrate for even a few moments. I find myself thinking of the day’s events---appointments,, chores, etc. I know I must focus and learn to listen to You. If only I could somehow push out of my min these annoying distractions.” “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
“But sometimes I feel as did the Psalmist when he penned these words from his anguished heart: ‘Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, ‘O, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert’ (Psalm 55:5-7). These are troublesome times. Fear is running rampant. Fear of the economy. Fear of terrorists. Fear of disease. Fear of growing old. My mind is fidgeting. My nerves are frayed. And then, again, I hear these words ringing in my mind: “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”
In the midst of teaching, healing, traveling, and preaching, Jesus never allowed the pace of life to deter Him from spending time with His heavenly Father. Mark wrote, “In the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35).
“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.” Know that I AM. Know that I am in control. Be assured that I am with you. Be confident of My presence. Rest in Me. Let me soothe your troubled mind and calm your anxious fears. Be still and know.
I have a treasure which I prize,
It’s like I cannot find;
There’s nothing like it on the earth,
‘Tis this—a quiet mind.
But ‘tis not that I am stupefied,
Or senseless, dull, or blind;
‘Tis God’s own peace within my heart
That forms my quiet mind.
I found this treasure at the Cross,
And there to every kind
Of weary, heavy-ladened soul,
Christ gives a quiet mind.
My Savior’s death and risen life
To give them were designed;
His love’s the never failing spring
Of this, my quiet mind.
posted by kazookid | 8:44 AM
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