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 NIV)
Martha and Mary were sisters and friends of Jesus. They had very different personalities. Mary enjoyed sitting at Jesus’ feet while Matha worked feverishly at entertaining. There is a balance. The secret is knowing when to work and when to be still.
When life is confusing or painful, we need to be still; when our hearts are grieving or hurting, we need to be still. When tomorrow is filled with uncertainty or dread, be still. To be still means to cease struggling. Stop trying to figure out all the answers. Stop trying to understand incomprehensible things. Quit trying to be God.
We can experience rest and peace when we are still. Being still shows that we believe that God is God—that He is in complete control. When we are waiting, the Lord gives us all we need to know: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). When we need to know more, He will reveal it to us. In the meantime, all we need to do is be still before Him. We can learn from Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus.