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Each week we are going to memorize a verse from the Bible! On the first day we will talk about what the verse means, and then each day for the rest of the week, we will break it down into some really fun ways to memorize it together. 

Our first verse we are going to memorize this Advent season comes from the book of Psalms. Psalms were often songs that were written by different people, for different purposes. Psalm 46 in particular, was written by a group of musicians for people to sing while in the temple of God. The verse we are focusing on this week is Psalm 46:10, it says, BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. This is important to do because if we don’t stop and remember who God is and what He has done for us, like sending Jesus, we may be tempted to do things our own way and forget about how good God really is! 

Today’s challenge is to say this verse, out loud, 10 times. BUT, each time you have to say it in a different voice.

Here are some examples; whisper, loud as you can, high pitched voice, deep voice, like you are from a different country, like a pig, like a bird, like you are out of breath, like you are a robot, like you are a character from a movie.

Use the examples above, or make up 10 of your own, but make sure to repeat today’s verse at least 10 times!

Okay, Go!

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Stillness is defined in the dictionary: to not move; a deep silence and calm. 

That's gonna be a no for me. Not a fan. To be still sounds awful. All I hear in my head is that 2nd (and 4th, and 6th) grade teacher that constantly told me to sit still. Stillness in my world is not a thing- not applicable, next topic. I’d much rather this verse say, ‘be busy and know that I am God”

When was the last time you were actually still? Not just physically but in your head as well? In a world that celebrates a completed to-do list or a busy schedule I have to ask myself, is there more to this verse?

My initial takeaway is that I should slow down, sit on the floor with my bible open, worship music on, journal and pen for at least an hour fully locked in.  Now this is great, honestly, but that's not always my life and I'm betting it’s not yours either. 

The more I grow in my faith and the more I read His word, the more I see that His ways are not my own. My ideas, intentions and wants too often do not reflect His heart. You see, what matters isn't what I think about stillness, but what He thinks about stillness.

What if stillness was less about slowing down physically and more about pausing in the midst of everything we are thinking, feeling, and doing. What if we could direct our attention to Him in our everyday lives and be reminded of all He is, all He has done, and will that He promises to do. To allow His presence to still our hearts and minds, even on our toughest days. His presence is ultimately what we need ans the win is to be able to declare that no matter what is happening around me, He is my Rock and Refuge.

What if to be still is an act of trust and surrender? To take those moments to acknowledge Him and trust Him with our busy schedules, our decisions and our hearts. 

Do you struggle with physical stillness or mental stillness? 

What happens when you are still- when you pause- are you uncomfortable, bored, distracted, etc?

What are some tools you could put into practice that encourage you to be still? 

"Lord, in this season of waiting, teach us to be still."

Psalm 46:10 (ESV) Be still, and know that I am God.

Stillness often feels like a luxury we can't afford; a concept at odds with the values of our bustling world that values motion, progress, and constant activity. Yet, as we enter the Advent season, we're invited into a sacred pause, a holy waiting. This waiting isn't passive; it's an active stillness, a deliberate choice to slow down and attune our hearts to God's presence. It is in this place where we often find our truest selves and our deepest connection to God as the noise of the world gets replaced by the still, small voice of our Creator. 

Stillness is not merely the absence of noise or movement. It's a state of being, a conscious choice to pause and create space for something greater than ourselves. In stillness, we shed the layers of distraction and busyness that often shroud our hearts and minds. We become like a calm lake, reflecting the sky above - in our stillness, we reflect the image of God more clearly.

The invitation to stillness is not always an easy one to accept. Our minds revolt, flooding the silence with an overwhelming wave of thoughts, worries, and to-do lists. Our bodies fidget, uncomfortable with the lack of motion. We feel the urge fo fill the silence. This is normal. Stillness is a skill, one that takes time and patience to develop. Yet, as we persist in stillness, something profound begins to happen. We create space for God to speak. We may not hear an audible voice, but we might sense a nudge of the Spirit, gain a new perspective on a problem, or simply feel a profound sense of being loved and held by our Creator. The noise begins to settle, like dust particles slowly drifting to the ground. 

We notice things we might have missed in our constant motion - the subtle movements of God in our lives. We discover a deep well of peace lying just beneath the surface noise that has become the soundtrack of our days. This is the gift of stillness - it allows us to experience God not just as an idea, but as a living, present presence in every circumstance we face.

Stillness in Advent is particularly poignant. As we wait for the celebration of Christ's birth and His eventual return, we're invited to mirror the quiet anticipation of Mary, the reflective patience of the shepherds, and the steadfast journey of the Magi. By doing so, we prepare room in our hearts for the arrival of the Jesus, not as a distant historical event, but as a present reality breaking into our lives anew. 

In embracing stillness, we're not retreating from the world, but rather preparing ourselves to engage with it more fully, more compassionately, more in tune with the heartbeat of God. We're creating space for wonder, for mystery, for the unexpected ways God might choose to reveal Himself to us in this season of waiting.

Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following question:

Psalm 46:10 (ESV) Be still, and know that I am God.

• How might you create space to practice stillness this week?