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By Rob Des Cotes
Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10
 According to this word, there is a particular knowledge of God that
can only come through stillness. The dictionary defines this state as
one that is free from disturbance or agitation. To be still means to stop
both our inner and outer activity in order to be attentive to what God is
doing apart from our own initiatives. It provides a rare opportunity for
us to get to know the Lord in ways that we would never do otherwise.
Only from the point of stillness can we observe the subtle grace of God's
movement touching the soul, and of our own spirit's gentle sigh for God.
The invitation to be still in God's presence sounds so wonderful but it
is also very difficult to do. If prayer teaches us anything it teaches us just
how agitated our spirits really are. That is why so many people over the
centuries have recognized the need for spiritual discipline in cultivating
the sacred art of stillness.
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A form of spirituality that was characteristic in the 4th and 5th
centuries is called hesychasm. Those who practiced this discipline
were mostly hermits dwelling in the deserts, seeking inner peace and
spiritual insight through contemplation, self-discipline and the study
of Scriptures. The word hesychasm means sacred quietude and the
practice of cultivating this inner rest and silence was seen as an essential
support for prayer
The exhortation to be still in order to know God reminds us that
stillness is not an end in itself. As delightful as the experience of peace
meditati ons for spiritual direction might be, it is only a means to a far greater endthe particular knowledge and experience of God that it uniquely leads to.
As both philosophers and artists know, our capacity for perception is
determined mostly by our point of perspective. From the point of view of
stillness, we get to see ourselves, God and others in ways that we would
never have opportunity to do otherwise. It is only from the place of
stillness that we can perceive truth as it freely reveals itself to be.
Rob Des Cotes is a spiritual director and pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He teaches Contemplative Traditions at Trinity Western University, as well as courses on spirituality and the arts at Carey Theological College and Columbia Bible College. Rob also directs Imago Dei (www.imagodeicommunity.ca) a network of faith communities that encourages the practice of prayer and a transforming relationship with God. Rob is a regular contributor to canadianchristianity.com
To obtain 'Higher than I' go to: www.clementspublishing.com
March 27/2008
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Linda
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