By Dr. Al Hearne II

Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

In a world that constantly demands our attention, action, and reaction, the call to "be still" is counterintuitive. However, this call to stillness is an invitation to surrender to the sovereign presence of God. Psalm 46:10 encapsulates a profound truth – the assurance that God is the ultimate authority over all creation. In embracing this truth, we find peace and the cause of faith that sustains us.

God's sovereignty is one of His divine attributes; it highlights God's authority, control, and power over all creation. It emphasizes that God is the ultimate ruler and sustainer of the universe, and nothing happens outside of His knowledge, will, and plan. God owns every square inch of the created world.

Imagine standing on the edge of a vast ocean, the waves crashing and the horizon stretching beyond our sight. In that moment, our sense of scale and significance is humbled by the grandeur of creation. Similarly, when we "be still," we acknowledge our place in the intricate tapestry of God's design. We recognize that God's sovereignty extends far beyond our individual lives, reaching into the intricate details of every corner of the earth.

The call to "be still" doesn't imply a passive existence but rather an active choice to stop, to cease what we are doing, and to release our anxieties, fears, and need for control into the hands of God. This an act of faith that acknowledges that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His timing is perfect. It is a matter of reflective practice, where we reflect on God's handiwork that has brought us to this moment.

"Being still" is an act of spiritual worship, where we reflect upon what God has done in our life and say, "Thank you, God, for being so good to me!" Such reflection also begins to create a growing inner sense of excitement, where we start to look forward with anticipation upon all the good things God will do in our lives in the future.

This surrender to God's sovereignty is a vital lesson for Christians to practice and model. As Christian parents, we strive to model Christ, to guide and instruct our children in the wisdom and admonition of the Lord, but ultimately, God shapes our children’s hearts and minds. When we model "being still" and reflecting on what God has done in our lives, we help our children to open themselves up to the possibility that God is at work in ways that cannot be fathomed.

Our days are filled with constant change. The morning schedule is interrupted, the school calls and says that our child is sick, the coach adds an extra practice, or we discover that our planned dinner of leftovers has mysteriously disappeared. In the midst of these changes, remember that God is sovereign, and God's actions in our lives are not limited to a moment or a circumstance. As Psalm 46:10 ends, God is exalted among the nations. God is exalted in every square inch of the earth. Our role is to recognize what God has done, to recognize God's actions in our lives, and to trust that God's purposes will be fulfilled.

As you navigate your responsibilities in life, remember that "being still" is not a sign of weakness but an act of Spiritual worship. It's an acknowledgment that the God who holds the universe in His hands also holds your life and the lives of your students. Embrace the truth of Psalm 46:10, and allow it to guide you in all that you do – both at home with your family and beyond.