I haven’t been able to find where the phrase, “clear as mud”, originated but the popular definition of this phrase is, “something that is confusing or not clear in your mind.” In today’s world of technology and information overload it is very easy to fill our minds to the point of confusion. Recently, I was researching some diets and exercise routines to assist me in losing the 30lbs that literally weighed me down and I found myself being overwhelmed and confused on which ones would work the best for me. One site said that counting calories was a good avenue to pursue while another one said that you have to count the amount of trans fat that you eat while even one more said that you shouldn’t do any of that but rather cut out all bread, pasta, and dairy and you’ll be set. Whew! It was, “clear as mud.” After taking a mental break for a few days I simply decided to watch my calories and begin an exercise routine that has worked for me.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be STILL and KNOW that I am God.” What does it mean to be “still?” There are some images that come to mind for me. The stillness in the air after a snowfall. Everything just seems to be so quiet and peaceful probably because no one can get out of their home so they are forced to be still until the roads are cleared. The stillness in the air on a hot, August night. On the rare occasion that this happens but there is a stillness in our home when my son is sitting quietly playing with his toys or coloring in one of his books. And another image that comes to mind is when I have found a calm pool of water to stand in just off to the side of the river.

I’m a visual person, most men are, and the image of the river really stands out in my mind. On a personal level I have a hard time allowing my mind to take a vacation. I seem to always be planning, plotting, or scheming. As I read Psalm 46:10 the other day I simply felt God telling me that I need to take a deep breath and allow my mind to rest in Him. I have witnessed the churning of the rivers in Harper’s Ferry, WV on many occasions and my mind went to that image as I read this verse. When a river is raging there is a lot of churning going on and with that churning all of the dirt from the bottom of the river begins to move to the top which inhibits the ability to see through the water clearly. Off to the side of the river there will be an occasional pocket of water that sits unfazed by the raging taking place just a few feet away.

Perhaps, like me, you just need to take a break from the raging and step into the stillness. Jesus was, by far, the busiest man alive and yet He found the time to pull away from the raging waters and found the peace, quiet, and stillness of sitting in the presence of His Father. It’s so very simple and yet so very, very hard. Brother Lawerence in his book, “The Practice of the Presence of God”, says to “busy yourself with keeping your mind the presence of the Lord.”

I’m reminded of one final verse that illustrates this point. 1 Kings 19:11-13, “

¹¹ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

You can’t hear God in the winds that blow, the earthquakes that come, the fire, or in the raging waters. You and I can hear Him, the mud will be sifted away and clarity will come when we learn to “be STILL and know that He is God.”