These words were written in 1964, the same year the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. This Act ended segregation in public places, provided for the integration of schools, and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This followed Martin Luther King Jr.’s, “I Have a Dream” speech, at the March on Washington in 1963. It was a time not unlike our own.
The young songwriters noticed a loneliness in our culture, a lack of unity, a need for love. They spoke to those who wanted to express their thoughts and opinions, but were not heard along with those who heard, but were not listening. This is my heart’s cry right now. There are so many conflicting voices in our culture, yet to whom should we listen? We truly need to hear the voices of those who are hurting. We look to the well-educated, the wealthy, and the professional to speak on behalf of an entire race. Yet, where are the voices of those who daily continue to face the effects of racism, living in poverty, or worse – wrongly facing jail or death?
We speak about racism, the COVID pandemic, the way forward as a nation, but do we stop to hear God’s voice in all of this pain and confusion? God loves each one of us deeply, He mourns the hatred and violence, the anxiety and despair filling our world. He has answers that cross every barrier, every race and nation. He has the power to heal our diseases, to draw us together in love and unity. Who do we look to as a guide? We look to authors, newscasters, politicians, protesters, sports stars, movie stars. We want to hear the voice of all – but one. Our ears have not been open to hear the powerful word and unifying spirit of our God.
Psalm 46:9-10
“He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
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.”
As I seek to listen to the voices around me, there is one voice that helps me to know where truth can be found and how to love others without judgement. We need to first turn to God, silently listen to His voice which can be heard through prayer, and reading the Bible. When we have no answers, when we are confused, scared, sad, distressed, God gives us comfort. He “dares to disturb the sound of silence.” He speaks truth to a hurting world. He calls to us, “Be still and know that I am God.” What comfort is there in these words? We cannot fix all of the hurt and hatred, but we can embrace God’s heart for people. We can offer His unconditional love and forgiveness to those who have hurt others and to those who hurt and find it hard to let go of the pain others have caused them. We can accept His love for us and receive His forgiveness when we have wronged others. God offers peace, mercy, and joy.
Whose voice are you listening to? How do you know where to find the truth? Start by saying simple prayers; God, I do not know where to start to find truth. I want to know the love you have for me and for others. Help me. Begin to read God’s word to find wisdom that you have not found on the television, your cell phone, the many books that offer the right way. We can fill our thoughts with so many things that there is no room for God to speak. Be still and listen. Be still and know that He is God. It is when we make room to listen that God can call us to action, the right action motivated by love. When I act out of anger, frustration, anxiety; I often make regrettable decisions. When we seek to act in God’s wisdom, to offer love, service, and understanding, it is then that our actions can bring true unity and we can disturb the silence with the resounding love of God.
How do we encourage our children when it seems like life is not fair? Do we try to fix their circumstances and become their hero? Is there a greater hero in our stories? Reflections on difficulties in life and how they helped us lead our kids to greater faith.
