I spend quality time in hospital elevators, often I'm the only rider, so I am not legally required to stare at the floor numbers over the door in concert with my fellow riders. Freed from pretending to move the car between floors by group concentration, I read the emergency signs, a habit left over from my fire-fighting days. One elevator car had a small red label with the usual helpfully numbered instructions, mostly about location and use of the phone, but the command that caught my eye was the third step.
3. Remain Calm
The “Remain” part assumes that riders are still calm after realizing they are stuck in an elevator and have completed steps 1 and 2 of the escape plan without obtaining immediate freedom or purposeful motion. I think I would put “Remain Calm” at the top of any list that needed this directive. Maybe even before “Step 1”. I might even assume that folks trapped in a steel box held by a cable over a chasm, might not be calm at the beginning of our endeavor and instruct them to “Calm Down”, “Think Calming Thoughts”, or even “Don't Panic!”
I got to see this instruction in action one day. A security guard was leaning on the door of an elevator with an out of order sign on it. I said something witty to him and he answered me, then turned and talked to the crack on floor. His gaze returned to eye level and he calmly explained, “They're stuck and I'm keeping them company until the repair person comes.”
He was the calm. He couldn't get them out, but he could stay with them until they were free. He couldn't tell them how or when they would be free, but he could assure them that there would be a way out. Instead of a command to be calm, he gave the occupants a reason for being calm: You are not alone and help is on the way.
Made me think of when we are stuck in crisis and how calming the promise of Christ's presence is. Being in the presence of God is the short definition of worship; relating to God is a good description of prayer. It is helpful in times of stress (which is all the time!) to go beyond the command to “Be Calm” or even “Have Faith!”, and find the reason for the assurance of faith in worship and prayer where Christians affirm the calm security in knowing that we are not alone and help is on the way.
Reasons for Calm
You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me.You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there. Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.- Psalm 139: 1-10 (CEV)
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