Keep Still

“The Lord himself will fight for you; you only have to keep still.” // Exodus 14:14

When my nephew wakes up, sometimes his first words to my sister are “Bye, bye?” (translation: “Are we going somewhere in the car today?”) This delightful toddler is not even two years old, and yet prefers leaving the house to go on simple outings. It can be comical to observe the preferences of such a little boy.

I have similar tendencies. I have always loved going on adventures, exploring new places, and learning through travel. People have accused me of a disordered greed for experiences, so this is something I often bring to prayer. The Father has given and taken away travel throughout my adult life, most recently during the Coronavirus lockdowns and travel restrictions.

My March 2020 flight to Molokai, Hawaii, was suddenly canceled along with my Saint Damien of Molokai pilgrimage. In June 2020, the pandemic completely shut down my Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through Spain. Covid stilled all of my travel plans for the foreseeable future, and it was difficult for me to understand God’s will in the midst of that disappointment.

In my confusion, this Scripture verse made its way to the forefront of my prayer: “The Lord himself will fight for you; you only have to keep still” (Exodus 14:14). As the Father invited me to even deeper surrender and trust, I deliberately tried to keep still in the Heart of the Trinity. I intentionally spent time each day before the Blessed Sacrament. 

The stillness allowed me to listen, be attentive, and remain recollected. The Father led me to further vocational clarity about the contemplative life He was calling me to. My desires came into sharp focus and I moved forward with bold courage. During that time of stillness, the Lord Himself was fighting for me and was preparing to give me the greatest gift.

We may only understand pieces right now, but let’s remain confident that the Lord does great things when we are still. Let us pray for the grace to remain peacefully within the Heart of the Trinity, confident that the Lord is fighting for everything we need.