Be Still and Know

If you have any children around you in the month of December, you know that being still is quite difficult during the preparations of Christmas. There are just too many exciting and interesting things to see and to touch! With our youngest grandchildren, we keep several things around the tree or on the floor that we want them to grab and play with, like childproof manger sets, stuffed animals that only come out at Christmas, and Christmas books. Usually this helps but doesn’t necessarily prevent them from grabbing something that is breakable. But as the build-up to Christmas continues, being still is hard for the little ones.

The truth is, it’s hard for most grown-ups as well. Around lunch I realized I needed to run to the store to pick up items for three different groups that are collecting for local children, families, and seniors in our community. They all had a deadline of this week. And tonight is a Christmas concert and Thursday is the college’s staff and faculty Christmas party. Looking at my calendar, I don’t think I can be still with all of these extra activities competing with my normal work.

Yet, before the day is over, and probably at the concert tonight and at every church gathering in December, we will hear or sing songs that speak of stillness, silence and peace:

“Sleep in heavenly peace”
“The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing”
“All is calm, all is bright”
“The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay”
“Oh, little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie”
“I wonder as I wander out under the sky”

And these are just the songs that came to mind quickly. Part of advent involves intentionally slowing down to read, to pray, to reflect, and to be still before God, that we might prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of our Savior’s birth and rediscover its meaning in our lives. It is so hard when busyness is at a peak. Then add the stress of family gatherings and the money we spend that is often beyond what is wise, and you have a recipe for a racing mind and heart.

Psalm 46 speaks to us through the noise and busyness of the season and beckons us to remember that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble! And as this psalm comes to a close, the psalmist tells us plainly: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
It is hard to be still, and yet we must. And not just in advent, but as a regular part of our spiritual discipline.

So sometime today—maybe sometime every day this month—we need to turn off the media and sit alone somewhere and begin to pray with this reminder from psalms:

Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am…
Be still and know…
Be still
Be present with the Lord.

Father, we confess our struggle to be quiet and still in this season. Open our eyes to see the moments that we can be alone with you in silence that we might hear from you and experience your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 46:10 ESV

Photo by Jonathan Borba
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Dean Collins

Pastor, campus minister, counselor, corporate employee, Fortune 500 consultant, college president—Dean brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives to his daily walk with God’s Word. 

In 1979 he founded Auburn Christian Fellowship, a nondenominational campus ministry that still thrives today. In 1989 he founded and became executive director for New Directions Counseling Center, a service that grew to include several locations and counselors. In 1996 he became vice president of human resources for the CheckFree Corporation (3,000 employees) till founding DC Consulting in 1999. He continues part-time service with that company, offering executive leadership coaching, organizational effectiveness advice, and help with optimizing business relationships.

His latest pursuit, president of Point University since 2006 (interim president 2006-2009), has seen the college grow in enrollment, curriculum, physical campus, and athletic offerings. He led the school’s 2012 name change and relocation from Atlanta Christian College, East Point, Georgia, to Point University in West Point, Georgia. Meanwhile, he serves as board member or active volunteer with several nonprofits addressing issues ranging from global immunization to local government and education. 

He lives in Lanett, Alabama, with his wife, Penny. He has four children (two married) and five grandchildren. He plays the guitar, likes to cook, and enjoys getting outdoors, often on a nearby golf course. 

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