Be Still and Know...Time to Worship!
- Frances McFarland
- Dec 31, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Welcome to our December 2024 Grandkids' Mountain Retreat. If you tuned in to the account of 2017's annual retreat, you'll remember the misadventures that preceded a meaningful time of worship for my granddaughters and me. (Click here if you'd like to hear that story!) I didn't expect childish disputes to upset plans for our worship during this year's mountain retreat, but the possibility of no worship at all loomed.
My granddaughters are now at the age where trying out makeup, listening to music from their favorite artists, and teasing each other about possible love interests fill a good proportion of their days. Whoopee cushions and wrestling matches are among the top interests of my young grandsons. Where does time for worship fit in?
Only a couple of weeks before our annual mountain trip, I heard my youngest grandson complain bitterly when he was directed to the sanctuary for worship service after Sunday school. I understood that most little boys are not interested in sitting during the service, but I wondered...If we attempt to pierce the layers of their hearts with the reasons why we worship, could the seeds of loving worship one day grow?
How do you inspire a group of giddy teenagers and two young boys to be still long enough to worship during the exciting festivities of Christmastime? Even this well-intentioned grandmother had difficulty focusing on the most important things of the season. My plans for the weekend included time for parades, holiday farm tours, and evening walks through spectacular light displays. I tucked my Bible in my bag but doubted there would be time to pull it out. Would it really matter if we skipped one day of worship during this fun-filled weekend?
No doubt, we all needed to be reminded of the real meaning of the season. It was time to dust off my "Be still and know" devotion from 2017. I marked my Bible with special passages and resolved to bring it out, no matter how busy our weekend promised to be.
On the first night of our retreat, we gathered just before supper. With a message that took us from the glorious display of God's power demonstrated in His creation, to His gift of love and grace that took Him to the cross, I challenged the kids to realize God knows each of us personally. He has saved us from an eternal dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. (Colossians 1:13-14)
I wanted this to sink in. Really sink in.
My devotion pointed the children to Mary Magdeline. Even before an earthly introduction, Jesus knew her and all her sins. Still, He loved her. He forgave her. So moved by His love and forgiveness, Mary devoted the rest of her life to worshiping Him. She followed Him to the cross and grieved over the price He paid for her sins. Mary was the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection.
Jesus knows us. He knows our sins. Yet, He has done this great thing. How can we yawn at the sacrifice He made to save us from eternal darkness and suffering? Why is it so easy for us to forget that He took the punishment for our sins so we can have eternal life in His perfect Kingdom?
After being reminded of God's love for us, I gave each grandchild a "Be Still and Know" activity page and instructed them to go outside for ten minutes of quiet time. I encouraged them to think of the Creator as they made notes of all they saw, heard, and felt.
My heart was blessed by the sweet time of worship that followed our "Be still and know" moments that evening. One granddaughter shared verses she clung to during a period of heartbreak and depression the previous year. The other girls read passages that they found especially meaningful. In the middle of this discussion with the girls, my seven-year-old grandson's hand shot up.
"I have something to say!"
I was ashamed that I failed to make an intentional effort to include Sam in our discussion. He was the one who, only a week earlier, complained about attending the worship service. I gave him the floor.
"God made everything...We should tell Him 'thank you' for all the things He made".
His was a simple discovery, yet oh so true! It occurred to me that Sam had experienced God's presence in a way that drew him to worship that morning. Ten minutes of being still awakened this seven-year-old to God's presence and filled his heart with thanksgiving.
Being quiet, even for a brief time, has a powerful impact... But isn’t it refreshing to read the words that follow this request to be still?
Psalm 47:1-2...
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy, For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.'
While God delights in the quiet moments, His desire is not to paralyze us with silence. When His quieting hand is lifted, He calls us to clap, shout, and sing out His praises! It's our silence that allows us to see His glory and moves us to use our loudest voices to praise Him.
Take some time to practice being still in this new year. Encourage your children to do the same. I pray that you will be led into meaningful worship that sends you out "with shouts to God with cries of joy. For truly, the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth"!
"Be Still and Know"...Time to Worship!
Adapt this simple lesson to inspire your children
Start with this free downloadable activity page
Assist children in finding a place in nature to sit for this activity.
Instruct them to be still and make quiet observations for ten minutes.
Challenge them to be aware of the evidence of God's creation around them during that time.
Remind them to write down what they see, hear, and feel.
Encourage them to report on their observations and discoveries when they come back together.
Join them in offering worshipful prayers of thanksgiving.
Discussion points:
Did you feel the presence of the Creator in your quiet moment?
Does being aware of the magnitude of God's creation and knowing that His sacrificial love is for YOU, as an individual, bring you to a place of worship?
Scripture:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”Psalm 46:10
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy, For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth."Psalm 47:1-2
Devotional thoughts to share:
God is big. His creation is magnificent... He designs and gives life to the smallest bug that crawls on the ground and fashions galaxies beyond what our eyes can see. And He knows YOUR name. He knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows everything about you. None of the bad things you've done can cause Him to love you less. None of the good things you do can cause Him to love you more. He simply loves you... So much so that He was willing to take your sins on Himself and die to pay the price that they deserve. Let this truth drive you to worship Him with all your heart!
