Being Still Amidst It All

A few weeks ago, a member of our church was tragically killed in his driveway while working underneath his car.  His wife had come home to find him in the driveway.  They had to bring his kids (both in high school) back early from a band camp.  He was the only son of a couple who are also members of our church.    

As my senior pastor and I are sitting in the wife's living room along with his parents and two kids, there's not much we can say to console the family.  It's one of those times Bible college and seminary never prepare you.  Often, there is a helplessness to much of what someone can do in life.  I want to change this ____ (fill in the blank) but am helpless.  Maybe that thing for you is a situation in your life right now.  Perhaps, it is something with your church, or a condition you see within many local churches.  Amidst all an individual can study about worship, I'm convinced that such a discipline can leave someone feeling angry, overwhelmed, or even surprised.  It seems as though we, as believers, talk much upon certain aspects of worship instead of ways to seek, both individually and corporately, after the very Individual who is the Center of our worship.  One way to worship at a deeper level, despite all art forms, styles, and orders of worship, is to begin to slow down in life and be still.

Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God."  We are a busy people bombarded by church models.  When was the last time you stopped and were still with the intention to enjoy the presence of God?  Does your church ever take time to be still and acknowledge the presence of God's Spirit in the assembly?  To be honest, mine does not in the way I'm referring, but I think out of all the artistic things and models discussed in worship, this rather non-artistic method is something that everyone, despite their artistic talent, can do.  If we spent more time being still in the presence of God and less time worrying about every detail of a church's worship order, we'd probably be surprised at how much more we experience His presence working among His people.

"If you seek him, he will be found by you..."  I Chronicles 28:9b

The family who lost a loved one didn't need two ministers talking to them.  What they needed in that moment were people to be with them.  By simply sitting with them and listening, ministry occurred.  When we are in the presence of God daily and acknowledge how He is working in the moment, we are probably being spiritually healthier than most of the other busy times in our lives trying to plan everything out.  This week, let Him guide you as you seek to spend more time being still.