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“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

It sounds so simple, right? Peaceful. Holy even. But for me, being still feels almost impossible.

The moment I lay down on the couch, my eyes start scanning the room — that spot on the floor that needs mopping, the basket of laundry in the corner that’s been waiting for days, the paperwork I promised myself I’d go through. My body might be still, but my mind? Currently 1st place in the New York City marathon.

Recently, God has been having me reflect on the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42. Martha’s the one making sure the bread is warm, the table’s set, and the drinks are poured. But Mary? She’s just sitting there — at the feet of Jesus — soaking up every word. And when Martha tries to get Jesus to nudge Mary into helping, He says something that stops me in my tracks every time: “Martha, Martha….you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things…Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Well dang, Jesus.

I’m not even going to pretend: Most times, I’m Martha — moving, doing, preparing, making sure it all “gets done.” But deep down, my spirit longs to be Mary — unhurried, attentive, willing to let the undone things wait so I can simply be with Him.

When I picture Mary, I don’t see a woman who had less on her plate than Martha. I see a woman who made a choice. A choice to pause…to Selah. A choice to silence the voice in her head saying, “Be useful. Do more. Don’t just sit there.” She let the dishes stay stacked, the floor unswept, and the food unfinished because she knew something better was being offered — the chance to sit in the presence of Jesus.

Isn’t that where so many of us struggle? We want to be with God, but our minds are running to the undone things: the emails unanswered, the meals unplanned, the kids unbathed, the bills unpaid. And yet Mary shows us that stillness isn’t about having less to do — it’s about choosing Who we give our attention to first.

Mary teaches us that stillness isn’t passive — it’s an active pursuit. She wasn’t “doing nothing.” She was doing the most important thing: listening, learning, and loving Jesus with her attention. She was…communing. While Martha’s hands were full, Mary’s heart was open. And Jesus made it clear: this is the better portion.

Mary reminds me the greatest gift I can give my family, my work, and even myself is not a perfect to-do list, but a heart that’s been in the presence of Jesus. Because once I’ve sat with Him, I carry Him into everything else I do.

See, here’s the thing sis: Psalm 46:10 isn’t a suggestion for our “when I get a minute” list. It’s a command. “Be still” is just as much obedience as “Go forth and make disciples.” Being still is active trust. It’s telling God, I believe You can hold the world (and my house…and my heart ) together without me micromanaging every detail.

And I wonder — how many of us are missing God’s presence because we’re too busy preparing for it?

I’m actively learning it doesn’t take hours to practice stillness. Sometimes it’s as simple as watching the sunrise and letting my breath fall in rhythm with it. Sometimes it’s leaving the laundry folded in the basket another day and choosing not to feel guilty. Even Jesus left some things undone — not every person was healed, not every city was visited — but He was always in step with His Father.

Other times, stillness looks like opening my Bible before I open my inbox. Or lifting my hands in worship, letting the songs declare truths my anxious thoughts try to drown out. And when my mind won’t quiet, I can slow my breathing and whisper His name — YHWH.

The older I get, the more I realize that stillness is spiritual warfare. It’s how we fight the lie that everything depends on us. It’s how we quiet the noise so we can actually hear God.

So maybe today, even if it’s just for a moment, you and I can put the mop down, let the laundry pile sit, and choose Mary’s posture. Because sitting at His feet will always matter more than what gets checked off the list.

Before you go, take a moment to pause. Let the sound of the waves remind you that even creation knows how to be still before its Creator—and let them wash over you with the gentle truth that it’s okay to slow down and just be.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo,