The scripture says “be still and know that I am God.” But what does that mean? It seems so obvious, “shut up and let God be God.” That is often the point of a sermon and is used to put people in their places. Just be still. God is the center of the universe and we should be quiet and believe that.
It sounds so clear but is it? What if the first word of this statement is the real point? In lectio divina one listens to the scripture and lets it envelope them. As it unfolds the sentence moves from the entire sentence to “be still and know God ” and then to “be still” and finally to “be”. Perhaps that is the point, just to “be”.
What if we were all just being? What if our very existence is about being? Now, that being assumes the entire verse. Our very essence is to be in God’s image and to be that image to the world. And what if, during this time of Christmas, that is the point of a very special birth? Isn’t that the real point and real hope of Christmas?
Just be! Not be still. Just be. Be you. Be the vision the world has of God among us. That is the whole scripture in summary. That is the call of the Christian life. That is the essence of Christmas, to be reborn daily and to be born as the light of the world.
TMM