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Just be

Pastoral Messages | October 23, 2024

I hit every single red light that evening. All of them. Between my home and church, heading south on Welcome Way, rather than the typical Jersey Ridge route, there are seven traffic lights. Some of them change frequently, some don’t.

My kids and I hit all of them on our way to choir that night. And guess what? We were already running behind.

Sensing that my anxiety was also becoming their anxiety, I realized that I needed to take a very deep breath, set aside my anxiety, and hope that the air in the car would become a bit calmer.

I’m glad I did because it also provided me with time to notice what was going on around me as we sat at the red lights.

One gentleman was listening to the same radio station that was playing in our car and singing exuberantly. Taylor Swift, he was not. But he was clearly having a good time.

One car at the next light had a toddler playing with a small giraffe. He didn’t care that he was at a red light, he just cared that his giraffe didn’t drop out of the window.

One woman at another light was crying. We wondered why. Hating to speculate, we prayed for her.

Being patient is not my first instinct and I am often skeptical of those who claim it is their natural state. I want my world ordered and predictable. When I am at the grocery store and the checker turns on the flashing light because the person in front of me had the audacity to choose an item with no barcode, I am quickly frustrated.

When my natural instinct to get anxious kicks in I recite a little verse from a Psalm over and over. Psalm 46:10 reads (in part) “be still and know that I am God.”

The next time you feel that anxiety come over you, say that verse out loud. Then try it again, but leave off the last word. Do it again and again until you only have one word left.

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am

Be still and know that I

Be still

Be.

It’s hard enough to be present when you hit every stop light or get stuck in a long line at Hy-Vee, but each can be an opportunity to be and notice the world around you.

I hope you consider this Psalm as your week continues, that you can be present in the moment and just be. Even that inconveniently timed light can be an invitation to pray.

-Mark Niethammer, senior pastor

6 Comments on “Just be”

  • Jane Strittmater

    November 8, 2024 at 8:48 am

    That’s my first reaction is frustration – Thank you for the Psalm to say over and over again – I will try it next time my blood boils.

  • Anke Maass

    November 1, 2024 at 7:52 am

    Absolutely love this !!!
    Thank you

  • Gina Bielski

    October 25, 2024 at 11:13 am

    What an incredible reminder in this fast-paced world we live in. THANK YOU! 🙂

  • Rolla Lucas

    October 25, 2024 at 8:15 am

    My favorite Psalm.

  • Joan Bruce

    October 24, 2024 at 5:10 pm

    Pastor Mark
    I am working at being more in the moment..What a wonderful psalm to help me in this personal journey. Thank you

  • Marcia Willi

    October 24, 2024 at 1:49 pm

    Pastor Mark,
    What a good phrase to remember and just “ be”… thanks 🙏

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