Be Still and “Be”

Last updated on: June 1, 2018 at 12:04 pm by Paul Bane

Be Still and “Be” 2018-06-01T12:04:16-06:00 Paul Bane

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The essence of life is not what I do but who I am. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms. 46:10) revolutionized my spiritual life as it transformed my understanding of knowing God intimately. I had never focused on what the “be” described. The “be” is my life centered in the Eternal Now of God.

I learned the contemplative practice of experiencing the presence of God in my heart and being aware of God and the state of my “being.” In a quiet time of prayer start by reciting “Be still and know that I am God”. As you repeat the verse leave off a word or two each time as you pray through it and just “be” who you are in His presence.

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am

Be still and know

Be still

In reverence of the Holy One of Israel, I agree with the command to still my mind and know God in my heart. I worship the “I am” Moses encountered in the burning bush. I contemplate God is seeking me far more than I seek Him and that His desire is to give me the awareness of His Presence. I open my heart to receive and listen in the stillness. I meditate on the verse releasing the distracting thoughts that rob me of being aware of His presence. In the stillness, I purposely seek to sit at the feet of Christ and let the cares of the world become still and silent within me.

The pulse of my heart is to know God. The stillness is to be mindful of God in the present moment. When I live my life focused on tomorrow, it insults today. So at the moment, I release my fears and confess my sins that reside in the secret chambers of my heart. My one desire and one thought are to know God. In the silence, I die to my will and ego and seek the conversion of my heart over to God.

I aim to know the heart of God and dwell in His presence forever. I am thankful that I know Him and have the opportunity to live in His presence. I have learned to stop doing life and to be still and just “Be.”

Contemplative Prayer