Let It Be

Our lives today allow us very few opportunities to just sit in silence, quiet, alone with our thoughts and our God.  Even when we find those moments of solitude, they can often be overtaken by our mind’s natural shift to remembering lists of things to do, worries of the day and demands on our time.

“When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be 

And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be”

When is the last time you sat, uninterrupted, listening for God’s voice in the silence?

This song by The Beatles needs no introduction. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsQsOjaVUuA)

When I talk about music as God’s gift to us and its ability to clarify things which otherwise may very hard to communicate, this is one of those songs that comes to mind.   It’s beauty and simplicity needs no description or commentary.  It stands sufficiently on its own.

“And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be 

I wake up to the sound of music,
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be”

My Grandma Bonnie brought many “quotes” to my life.  One of the most-oft, when trying to convince anyone to try something was, “It’ll make you wanna laugh and play”, usually delivered with an impish smile of knowing.  But, the one which stuck with me most that I heard from her often in her later years, especially when surrounded by the joyful noise of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in cacophony around her, was Psalm 46:10.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” 

Is it an accident that John and Paul reference common themes found in the Christian dialogue such as “light that shines on me”, “Mother Mary” and “wisdom”?  Is the organ music in the middle of the song just a convenient transitional element?  Is it a coincidence that their names are John and Paul?

I don’t know anything about either of them as it relates to their faith, but regardless of where anyone is on their Walk, God finds ways to shine to and through them.  God is the random; God is the coincidence.

So, sometime today, take a moment be still; to know; to Let It Be.