Day 16: Word for the Day

Today I want to remind you, “Be still, and know that I am God”. It's interesting because here we are in this time where our lives have been so busy and consumed. Now, we find ourselves not able to do this, not able to do that; our routines and patterns have been broken. This gives us a great opportunity to live according to this passage; be still, stop for a moment, know that He is God. Whatever the circumstances might look like, God is in control. It brings us into a place when we spend time with God in perspective; not our perspective, not our view, not our thoughts, but His thoughts for our life.

A few years ago, I went to Japan, to Tokyo. I was there in the summertime and with the trains crowded; it was hot, noisy and incredibly busy. If you're not careful, we can just contribute to the noise of the crowd. In our lives, we can be so busy but we're not busy with purpose, or with things that are helping us, we’re just busy. In this moment we can be still and know and get a different perspective.

When I was in Tokyo I went and stayed in a hotel that had a lounge on the 31st floor. In a city like Melbourne, 31 floors isn't very high, but because Tokyo is an earthquake zone, most buildings are only three stories high. When you're up in this lounge of the hotel, I looked out and I could see Mount Fuji and most of the city because it was low level. Suddenly my perspective changed. From being hot, I was now sitting in a cool lounge. From being in a place where there is noise all around, it was quiet. In a place where it was busy, there weren't many people there. My perspective completely changed although I was in the same city.

It’s the same when it comes to our God. In Isaiah 57:15 (NLT) it says, “The high and lofty one who lives in eternity…” That word lofty takes us to a height, a perspective, a change of environment. In this time where we have the opportunity to be still and know, take the opportunity to get God’s perspective for your life.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) is probably my favourite passages of Scripture. It says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Circumstances may have changed, the environment around us is changing daily, but God hasn't changed. God has a plan and a purpose, all you need to do is take time out, be still, and know that He is God. Delight yourself in the Lord and He'll grant you with the desires of your heart. God still has a purpose and a plan, but you're not going to get His perspective unless you take that time out, spend time with Him, and watch as He shows you clearly.