I can remember as a youngster sitting in church with my grandparents. Normally, after the pleasantries of meeting their friends and having them pinch my cheeks and pull on my strikingly blond hair I would find retreat between the two of them in the middle of the pew.

I am not sure what you call it (because these days and in our culture I suppose everything has a name) but I would have a hard time sitting still. Often times I would sit, rocking my knees back and forth, causing the entire pew to shake. Or shuffle my feet back and forth on the carpet like I was trying to wear a hole. Generally Grandpa would try to ignore it but I know (if there is any of him in me) that it drove him crazy, he just loved me enough to overlook it. However, Grandma would take my hand in hers. She would gently scratch my palm or lightly pinch my fingers between her aged but precious hands. Instantly I would calm and be still.

There is a phrase used in the Psalms that reminds me of those days. It is “be still, and know that I am God.” In Psalm 46:10 the Psalmist lists all these things that God can do and does and then pauses to reflect…”be still and know that I am God.”

In this phrase in Hebrew the intention of “be still” is not merely to cease an action. Rather the purpose of the “ceasing” (be still) is for the benefit of the “knowing” (and know that I am God). So the question is, do we pause long enough each day to know who God is? Do we sit still, hold still, and be still long enough to hear Him speak and see Him move?

It was always amazing how much I would get out of a sermon when Grandma was holding my hand.

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! . . . Come see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. he breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:1-3, 8-10

We see on the news and in the papers women and children starving to death, social injustice by governments and terrorists, natural disasters that are very unnatural , and lives wrecked by death, disease, and destruction. The world asks, “Where is God?” and too often we reply from the comfort of our busy lifestyles with a small, tax-free donation to sooth our conscience.

I believe God’s plan for meeting the needs of people is the church and unless we begin to reflect His love, His glory, and His goodness by becoming a servant, hoards of souls will die without an answer to their question.

For oneChurch, our desire and our goal is that we would “shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life” (Philippians 2:15b-16a). “We Shine” is message series that focuses not only on our attitude towards servanthood but also our individual duties to make life count; to become a servant. We have been commissioned, called, and challenged to reflect God in our lives and in response…we shine!

Ever notice how when we are in the middle of tuff stuff in life that it can be more difficult to see God’s hand? Why is that? We question God’s heart, His ability to take care of us, and sometimes even His existence.

I believe it is a focus problem, in part it is because we condition ourselves to focus on the problems instead of God. We tend to look for the flames of the fire instead of looking to God. It is kind of like when people slow down on the Interstate to look at the guy with the flat tire. Why does everyone slow down? Is it so they can help the guy? Are they praying for him? Not generally. They are merely curious and often simply being nosy. Our attention is drawn and consumed by those elements of disaster more easily then they are consigned to rest in the calm and peace of God’s love and grace.

“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.”  Psalm 20:1

I pray that we become a people who are always aware of God’s presence in our lives. It is not realistic or proper to think we would live in ignorance or live blindly avoiding problems. Rather I believe it is God’s intention that we would see every issue in life first through the lens of God’s wonderful grace. That we would choose to focus on the depths of God’s ability rather then the despair of life’s problems.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1