Psalm 46
[To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song]
 
God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
          Selah
 
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
   God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge.
          Selah
 
Come, behold the works of the LORD;
   see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
'Be still, and know that I am God!
   I am exalted among the nations,
   I am exalted in the earth.'
The LORD of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge.
          Selah

It is another busy season at our house. Softball has started, so three sets of game schedules disrupt the rhythm of our days. We just finished a recent spate of birthdays with all the attendant celebrations. The end of the school year is almost upon is, bringing another round of final exams, parties and picnics, concerts and programs. In the midst of this, of course, the regular tasks of our lives - the cooking, the laundry, the yardwork, the homework - don't disappear. And this is just at home. When I look to the world beyond, it is easy to be similarly overwhelmed by global warming, wars and rumors of wars, political disruption and natural disasters. It is so easy to despair.

In the midst of the busyness and the chaos, God speaks to the Psalmist and so to us: "Be still and know that I am God." Be still. We live in a society in which stillness and quiet are almost impossible to achieve. Be still. We think we always need to be doing the next thing. Be still.

Our refusal to be still is really a kind of faithlessness and idolatry where we worship ourselves and our own busy achievements. "Be still and know that I am God." Running from one thing to the next, trying to solve all life's problems, we think that we are in control. But in the stillness, we are reminded that God is God and that God is in control.

In this Easter season, we are reminded that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." God is present in the midst of the busyness and the chaos. God is present in the stories of the risen Christ. God is present in bread and wine and water. God is present in the need of a neighbor and in the encouragement of a friend. "The Lord of hosts is with us." Be still and know it.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen
Christ is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!

Gracious God, as we celebrate the risen Christ, grant us the peace to be still and to know your presence. Amen.

Contributed by Linda T.
Sunday May 6, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 23