I hope you all are holding up in this time of quarantine! Have you ever had anyone tell you to “be still?” If you are a parent or know very young toddlers, you can relate to what happens when you tell them to be still. They are probably going to keep on moving. My wife’s grandpa used to tell us grandkids to “be still” often. This would usually happen when we would be talking too much, and he could not focus on his Judge Judy show. It was not so much that we were physically active but that our mouths were moving non-stop. The more he would tell us to “be still” the more we would laugh and feel compelled to keep talking.

I have noticed similar feelings over the last 21 days as I was told to “stay home.” Can you relate to me that the more you hear “stay home” the more you want to get moving outside your home? I just want to get out and talk to someone. Some people ask, “Why are you struggling with staying home? Isn’t this a nice break for you and your family?” I want to talk to people. I want to get out and hug the friends I visit on 5th Avenue. I want to feel like I am being productive with measurable accomplishments. Yet, I keep hearing “stay home” from the local government and “be still” from God.

I felt God really put this scripture on my heart:
 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
– Psalm 37:7

This scripture points to possibly one of the greatest challenges we can face in our everyday lives during this pandemic and after: to “be still and wait patiently.” Not just wait but wait with patience. Patience is defined as “calmness, without complaint or hurry in spite of delays or difficulties.” It is normal to feel overwhelmed in this season. It is valid to feel frustrated and lost. It is even logical to question your “essential work” as you sit at home and wait this out. Yet, I wonder what Jesus may be inviting us into with him as we embrace his words to “be still” and do so without complaining. Let us focus on making the most of the time we have to spend with Jesus instead of wishing it away.