Be still and know…
I woke up the other day with the words of one of my favorite hymns playing in my head. The music was written by Sibelius as part of his “Finlandia” composition and is one of the most beautiful pieces of classical music I have ever heard. The hymn is titled “Be Still My Soul.”
Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently thy cross of grief and pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide,
Thru every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend,
Thru darkest days leads to a joyful end.
These words are so very comforting to me, for they affirm that God is always a vibrant, active part of our lives. We do not come to earth forgotten and alone, but are surrounded by our guides and angel and always do we have the part of God within us. We are constantly peovied for, uplifted, encouraged, comforted, and loved “through every change” and event of our lives. No matter how disastrous the consequences of events may be, we have the spirit of God with us and within us that reminds us that we are the Beloved Children of God, the children of a loving Father and Mother who will never abandon us.
As parents must allow their child to step away and experience the world and its lessons, so do our Father and Mother God allow us to step away from the bliss of the Other Side to experience the learning and growth that takes place on earth. We get our scrapes and “owies” and just like our little children, we go to God for comfort and for the reminder that we are still loved and well provided for in all our days.
And as the hymn’s lyrics remind us, we will move beyond our darkest days to a joyful end, our return to the Other Side and the bliss of the presence of Father and Mother God.
The title of the hymn comes from the story of Abraham in the Bible. Abraham, having waited for more than eighty years to become a father is now asked by God to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, on the altar to God. Abraham is devastated, torn between his devotion to God and his love for this young boy for whom he waited so long. For several days as he makes the long journey to the place of sacrifice, Abraham prays for a miracle. He can see in his mind the event to come, sees himself lifting his bound son to the altar and then plunging the knife into Isaac’s chest.
As he travels ever closer, Abraham mourns the coming loss of his son and the knowlegde that there is nothing he can do but obey God’s command. “Why?” he questions over and over.
The answer comes repeatedly: ”Be still and know that I am God.”
As Abraham draws nearer yet to the place of sacrifice, his mind and heart refuse to accept the inevitable. Abraham, in spite of outward appearances and the directions of God, begins to see a new outcome in his mind. Now he sees Isaac and himself joyously reaching the top of the mountain where the altar is located and. Instead of a sacrifice, Abraham see them enjoying a picnic.
The more Abraham pictured this, the lighter his heart became. He knew that God had not given him Isaac only to require his death at such a young age, Had not God promised that Abraham would be the fathjer of nations? For that to happen, Isaac had to live.
They reached the altar at the top of the mountain and Isaac asked Abraham where the sacrifice was they were to offer to God. Abraham explained God’s demand to Isaac. Isaac calmly accepted his fate and did not struggle as Abraham lifted him to the altar. Abraham raised the sacrificial knife overhead and prepared to plunge in into Isaac’s chect when God again spoke.
:Abraham. Stop. Be still and know that I am God.”
Abraham stopped his arm and allowed the knife to fall to the ground. He stood a moment and pondered the words. Within his heart, he heard the words and finally understood the true meaning,
“Be peaceful and know that we are God together.”
We are co-creators with God, His/Her creations, children, beloved sparks of the Love and Light of God. No matter what the outward appearance, when we are peaceful within, we are able to hear the true message and know the eternal truth, that we and God are One.
When Abraham realized the truth that God did not want him to sacrifice Isaac, he grabbed the boy from the altar and hugged him tight, then called for his servants to find a sacrificial animal to offer instead. After the sacrifice was made in thanksgiving for the sparing of Isaac’s life, Abraham enjoyed the picnin with his son that he had held in his mind and heart.
“Be peaceful and know that we are God.” Hold that thought within and do not allow the appearance of outside circumstances to sway your inner heartfelt knowing that you are always uplifted, protected, and provided for by father and Mother God. You are divinely guided, cherished, and, oh, so greatly loved!
