Be Still and Know

There were three friends with big dreams and hearts full of passion, ready to change the world. One dreamed of being a peacemaker, bringing harmony to broken lives. Another had a heart for feeding the hungry, determined to erase poverty. The third chose a life of prayer as a monk, dedicating himself to seeking God’s presence. Each felt called by God to make an impact, to leave the world better than they found it.

But life didn’t unfold as planned. The peacemaker worked tirelessly, joining organizations and striving to stop conflict, yet the fighting continued. Despite his best efforts, he felt defeated and drained, his hope fading. The one feeding the poor gave all he had—setting up soup kitchens and distributing food—but the needs kept growing. He, too, felt overwhelmed, wondering if his work even mattered.

Discouraged, they went to visit the monk. They poured out their hearts, sharing their struggles. The monk handed them a bucket and told them to fill it from a spring. When they returned, the monk stirred the water and said, “Look.” At first, it was cloudy and they couldn’t see anything. But as the water stilled, they saw their reflections clearly. “That’s what happened to you,” he said. “You’ve been running into the chaos of the world, letting it shake you up and cloud your purpose. Be still, and rediscover who you are.”

Sometimes, we get so busy trying to solve problems, fix situations, and meet needs that we lose sight of ourselves; we lose that deep connection to who we are and to the One who made us. God says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Being still doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams. It means reconnecting with the One who gave you those dreams.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause, take a breath, and remember who you belong to. Let your heart settle, let your spirit rest, and like the spring water that clears up when it’s still, you’ll start to see clearly again. You’ll remember that it’s not all on you. You’re not meant to do it all in your own strength. When you’re still, God can fill you back up, refresh your spirit, and multiply your efforts, touching lives in ways you can’t always see.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan

Disclaimer: The baby goat wasn’t harmed, stressed, or mildly inconvenienced during this photoshoot. In fact, he was treated like absolute royalty, with frequent snack breaks and cuddles on demand.