Psalm 46 is a much-loved passage in the Hebrew Bible. The words of the first verse — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’ — seem to flow naturally to the conclusion in the second verse: “Therefore we will not fear.” The psalmist then describes a tumultuous moment for the community in which all of life has been turned upside down. The mountains are falling into the sea. The waters are roaring and foaming like Class V rapids. Congregational life feels this way at times.
After several verses, as the mood of the psalm gradually de-escalates from outright panic to controlled anxiety, the psalmist directs us to “be still.”
Be still? With all that is happening in the world, shouldn’t we be doing something? Given the existential challenges confronting institutions of higher education, faith communities and federally funded initiatives, shouldn’t we get busy and get to work?
Yes, we should. And we also should be still. Psalm 46 suggests that a certain kind of knowing emerges when we are still in this way, “know[ing] that I am God.” We can lose focus about who God is and what God is doing in the world when our days are filled with resolving interpersonal conflicts, finding solutions for broken budgets and setting meetings to solve the most recent organizational challenges.
In addition to these necessary obligations, faithful leadership requires that we be intentional about taking a step back from daily operations so we can be still. When we are still, we gain a different perspective on our work. We might discover we’re working in areas that do not need the attention we are giving them. We might find previously undiscovered resources. Busyness often stifles creativity; when we push pause and reflect, we may open the floodgates of insight and opportunity.
Resources
‘Balcony time’ offers a fresh perspective
After metaphorically moving from the “dance floor” to the “balcony,” a pastor refocuses on personal connections with parishioners and priorities for the church.
By Henry G. Brinton
Could slowing down help us both recharge and build endurance?
When runners train for a race, they are told to spend most of their time preparing at a slower pace to help them speed up when needed. The strategy offers important lessons for how we approach our work and life, writes the director of communications for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
By Emily Lund
Individuals and institutions need intentional rest and reflection
Jesus modeled the requirement to step away in order to sustain his ministry, writes a director of programs and grants with Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
By Mycal X. Brickhouse
Leading joyfully and being led by joy
‘Balcony time’ can help us recognize what brings joy to our work and how to prioritize it, writes the managing director of grants at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
By Victoria Atkinson White
Before you go
“How was the meeting?” I asked a colleague who had attended an overnight off-site with other professionals in their field. The response: “This was a much-needed getaway.” Despite the interruption in their weekly schedule and the hassle of driving two hours to this meeting, the time away proved to be tremendously valuable.
What would it look like for you and your leadership team to pause? What questions would you ask if you were still? Being still is not always about doing nothing. Sometimes the best way to be still is actually to do something different. I often find my clearest insights while I am driving, for example. For you, being still might involve walking, gardening or making art.
Whichever path you choose, keep reminding yourself that being still isn’t something that’s nice to do if you can get around to it. Being still is essential to faithful leadership.
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince R. Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity