Release Your Grip! And Know that I AM God

Psalms 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." is a frequently referenced verse from the Bible.  I see this verse shared frequently on social media all with good intentions.  In a culture of "busyness", the ability to remain still becomes increasingly difficult.  I see this especially in students of all ages.  There are some students that struggle managing their own mind and body activity.  Growing up, I developed a nervous fidget.  This surfaced in stressful situations.  I couldn't sit still. I also noticed my own difficulties managing my attention span. This was very frustrating to be put in a  structured environment that required a singular attention span and to be unable to focus.  

I suspect if ADD was diagnosed when I was a young adolescent, I would have been a prime candidate.  Over the years, we have learned a great deal about ADD and brain function.  In fact, the very acronym "ADD" is a bit of a misnomer.  A person that has attention deficit disorder does not have the inability to pay attention.  It is quit the opposite; they are actually paying attention to multiple things at once.  What is problematic with ADD is the inability to maintain a singular attention span for a period of time greatly impacts the learning process.  Students will struggle in school if they are unable to be still and focus.  Mary Rothbart and Michael Posner in Educating the Human Brain explain, "Attention involves specific networks of the brain that mature from infancy well into childhood.  However, attention also involves regulation of the activity of other networks, thus improving the prospects of acquiring an unlimited number of skills.  Attentional networks interact with other brain systems to establish priorities in perception and action.  This ability to regulate brain function makes attention relevant to all domains of learning." 

As I think about the writer of Psalm 46:10, it would seem he is already familiar with a part of humanity that inherently struggles with remaining still.  While several thousand years separate the context of Psalm 46 and today, there remains tremendous similarities in the faith journey of the disciple.  Our world creates a great deal of commotion in the form of our jobs, social networks, relationships, personal expectations, and so much more.  The human penchant of not sitting still creates a lot of human exertion and work that translates into very little productivity.  Have you ever found yourself bored and fidgety?  What seems to be the most dominant desire during these moments?  If you are like me, then it is to find something to eat.

 It is well documented that boredom and anxiety are gateway emotions that lead to binge chocolate consumption.  The pleasure centers of our brain are looking for a quick fix when we remain in a sediment state for a long period of time.  Food becomes both a coping mechanisms as well as our body's way to refuel for the purpose of stress management and beginning new activity.  

So in order to meditate with God and reflect on our faith journeys there is a discipline needed of stillness.  It is only when we are able to self-monitor our "busyness" will we be able to recognize all of the ways God is moving in our lives.  When we stop our movement, God increases His movement.  With this idea in mind, allowing the more literal translations of Psalm 46:10 to speak to us will provide a deeper and much broader understanding of what the Psalmist has in mind.  

The stiff, literal rendering of the Hebrew translation of Psalm 46:10 "be still" is actually a series of words.  Here are a few of the lexical renderings that should replace the familiar "Be still": "Cease to work;" "Release your grip"; and "Relax".  I am especially fond of the literal rendering, "Release your grip" and know that I AM God.  This adds another dimension to this familiar passage.

While the inability to self manage one's attention may impact the life of the disciple and create a frustrating sunday morning experience, the inability to "release your grip" or "let go" may be even more troubling.  The lexical rendering of the Hebrew verb translated "release your grip"  has a military connotation.  In other words, the same verb used in Psalm 46:10 is also used in other ancient Hebrew passages as a reference to a solider releasing their grip or letting go of their spear or weapon.  This understanding helps us modern day readers find additional applications for this passage.

Could it be the psalmist is reminding us to resist our inherent desire to take up arms to tackle life?  Metaphorically, many of us have a strong grip on our lives.  And the items we tend to grip are figurative weapons of defense.  I see this frequently in different leadership models.  There are some leaders who lead by keeping their people constantly off balance.  The advantage in this leadership style is it forces those in the organization to remain in a constant state of insecurity and potentially easier to manage.  This style also serves to mask the insecurities of the leader.  Leaders who hide behind their rank, title, position, and power lack authentic peace and security.  Their grip is way too tight.  However, the leaders that surround themselves with capable team members and release their grip will find tremendous loyalty, creativity, and intellectual capital in their team.  The organization is better positioned with the latter leadership style than the former. 

As it relates to our faith journey and relationship with Jesus, there are daily moments that we are called to release our grip.  

Without making this expression a platitude or bumper sticker theology, Jesus is unable to lead as long as we have our weapons tightly gripped.  This brings deeper meaning to Ephesians 6 and Paul’s language on spiritual warfare.  If in fact Paul’s comments are accurate, which I think they are, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities of darkness and the evil one.  So anything we “grip” to take to this battle is useless anyway.  Therefore, we find greater peace and security when we resist our human tendency to “cut off the ear of Malchus.”  How many ears have you cut off this week with your loved ones, co-workers, or church family?

In conclusion, I also like the possible rendering “Cease to work.”  This could be a blog all its own.  If your theology or approach to your faith journey is similar to the ways you thought you had to please your athletically driven father or image driven mother by “working harder,” then know this is not the way our Creator and Savior operates in relationship.  May you find peace and assurance that the One who was willing to save you while you were still dirty, spiritually lazy, and unwilling to work, then how much more is he willing to save you now that we have been redeemed?!  The answer is much more.  Discontinue investing in sweat equity because it doesn’t have meritorious currency with the Savior.  Rest and be still knowing that God is God and you are not.  Release your grip in your daily battles and trust in the One who provides spiritual provisions to keep you and sustain your faith.  And cease working for the pleasure of Jesus, especially, if you have masked your efforts in a theology or belief system that places an overemphasis on sinless perfection.  Tip of the day, there was only one person in the entire Bible without sin, and that person is now seated at the right hand of God advocating for you just as you your!

Blessings.