The Mystery and Dangers of Nothingness

In today's constantly preoccupied, fast paced, modern lifestyle with cell phones and other technology, it is hard for most of us to imagine nothingness or silence. Interestingly, many different eastern religions extensively employ nothingness in their belief system, making it a mysterious experience. I recently started hearing about people practicing nothingness. It reminded me of the danger of nothingness in Matthew 12:43-45; when an evil spirit went out of a person, it went into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. When it returned to the person and discovered its former home empty, it went and found seven other spirits, and they all entered the person. I don't mean that all nothingness moments turn into something evil. Still, I believe that we leave ourselves vulnerable to negative influences when our minds stay empty and not filled with God's Word, which helps us discern between the truth and truth-like counterfeits since there is a very fine line between the two. We can find proper rest only in His presence and not in nothingness. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep (before God created something from nothing). (Genesis 1:2) I do not believe that God meant for us to go into nothingness when He said, "be still and know that I am God" in Palms 46:10.

Being still is an expression of reverence in acknowledgment of His presence as in the case of people hushing when a man of ultimate authority walks into a room. Most of us would immediately stop talking, or whatever we are doing, as soon as we catch sight of someone, we consider extremely important and pay attention to their every move or word. I witnessed a similar situation several years ago while in a hotel lobby where I was staying. One of the former presidents walked in with his bodyguards; almost everyone dropped everything and gathered around him. The entire atmosphere was charged with excitement as many people stood still, expressing ultimate respect. Some people were awestruck, and their countenances changed when he shook their hands, and their conversation was all about that brief encounter with him for a long time after he left. I wondered why we, believers, don't have that kind of intense adoration toward God - the creator of this universe and the author of our lives. Is it because we don't know Him enough? Being still in His presence should be a natural response for His people - to behold Him and stay in awe of His greatness as we meditate on WHO HE IS throughout the day, and that is what I believe that He was expecting from us when He said, "Be still and know that I am God."