I was reading day nine of the devotional by Connection http://blog.goconnections.org/faith/stay-fit-spiritually-a-30-day-devotion-from-north-point-ministries/   about household gods. The writer’s God was peace and quiet, which in his home was a luxury.

As I write, I sit in the middle of about 700 acres of nursery stock in various stages of production. It is harvest season, the season for which nursery folk, plan, grow and frankly live and die by. It’s a noisy season so what is typically a quiet hill with an amazing view, changes. In the background right now, is a low, constant drone of the chopper (it reduces the height of the trees making digging and grading easier for orchard stock). This noise has been constant for about 5 days straight. It’s similar to the buzzing of a fly on steroids. (imagine an elephant fly). After 5 days, I have become sensitive to it, angered by it, developed a headache and complained about it to no one that matters. Thing is, I know it is a necessary part of harvesting orchard trees. I imagine that guy driving the digger with the chopper on back and what he is feeling and hearing . . . much worse than my exposure, still, the sound has become tedious. Until yesterday when the chopper didn’t run and the digger was not in the field below my house. It was quiet again. Even as I write the words, the tension in my shoulders is gone. I noticed it’s absence early in the morning and enjoyed the quiet of my office but after a bit I had forgotten how wonderful the quiet is and moved on as normal. Today, the chopper is back at work. The drone buzzing of the elephant has returned and my serenity is threatened. My location has not changed, my view is still the same, it is only the quiet that has changed.

Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.

I quote it often, I have artwork with it proudly displayed as a reminder, it is engraved on the back of my first IPad. But listen to the verses that proceed it . . .

Vs.8 & 9: Come behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

Does that sound quiet to you? But then verse 10 says, be still not be quiet, be still and know that I am God. In the midst of this chaos and in spite of it, stop, silence yourself and be aware that God is on his throne and fully in control. Be Still!

What’s the drone buzzing in your ear? What the noise in your life today? I think of my family as they are in the midst of the noise of death and dying, yet God encourages them to Be Still in spite of the noise and Know without a doubt God is enthroned and in control of this noise. He is the same yesterday today and forever. Be Still and Know that HE IS GOD.