Podcast Summary: “Be Still and Know That I am God”

Speaker: Shayla Bott, Associate Dean of Faculty and Chair of the Department of Dance at BYU
Podcast: BYU Speeches
Date: March 10, 2026
Theme: Finding spiritual depth and closeness to God through intentional slowing, reverence, and deliberate time with the Savior.

Episode Overview

Shayla Bott delivers a devotional address focused on the spiritual and practical discipline of "slowing"—the art of making time special to foster personal revelation, deepen faith, and align one's life with God. Drawing from her background in the arts, scripture, and personal experience, Bott offers both inspiration and actionable insights for listeners seeking more meaningful communion with Christ amidst the pressures of modern life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Art as “Making Special”—Setting the Stage

• Bott introduces Ellen Desnayaka’s definition of art as “making special,” viewing art not solely as product but as a behavior or activity that imbues ordinary things with extra meaning or care.
• “Art is everywhere. There are many ways we can choose to make both tangible and intangible things special in our lives, but today I want to focus on how we can be artful in our living by making our time special.” (02:18)

2. Time Sickness & Slowing

• Draws on Norman Rockwell’s art and Larry Dossey’s term “time sickness”—the feeling that time is scarce and life must be hurried.
• Introduces the spiritual practice of “slowing,” based on the writings of John Ortberg and John Mark Comer:
  • “Slowing as cultivating patience by deliberately choosing to place ourselves in positions where we simply have to wait.” (04:05)
  • Personal examples of slowing: arriving early, reading physical books, walking without headphones.

3. Slowing as Discipleship

• Slowing becomes sacred and artful when used to align with God’s will, not just for relaxation or mindfulness.
• Observes how BYU incorporates slowing through devotionals, prayers, and community gatherings.
• “Slowing doesn’t mean giving up on worthy goals…It means widening your view and pausing long enough to notice what is already there.” (06:02)

4. Slowing in Scripture & the Savior’s Example

• Explores Christ’s own practices:
  • “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, Christ went out and departed into a solitary place. And there He prayed.” (08:22)
  • The invitation: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while…” (08:45)
• Solitude and silence (echoing John O’Donohue) essential for personal spiritual growth.

5. Slowing, Stillness, and Revelation

• Links Isaiah’s plea: “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” (11:05)
• Offers David Foster Wallace’s notion: “Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.” (12:32)
• Slowing allows “one-on-one, unhurried, face-to-face quality time with the Savior.” (13:15)
• Personal anecdote: Rushed scripture study vs. deep, intentional communion with God.
  • “I was seeking rest, healing, guidance, and assurance, but I was barely giving God enough time…” (17:32)

6. Slowing as a Catalyst for Change and Consecration

• CS Lewis: “If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to or even into the thing that has them.” (19:45)
• The cumulative effect of small acts of slowing: “The accumulation of the small choices we make each day is the process through which we come to be consecrated…” (21:15)
• Bott’s eye exam analogy: Gradually diminished spiritual vision can be restored through spiritual self-examination and slowing. (22:00-24:00)

7. Letting God Prevail through Slowing

• President Nelson: “We can choose to let God prevail in our lives or not. Slowing is a way to choose God.” (25:30)
• Focus on authenticity over appearance: “To be rather than to seem—esse quam videri.” (26:11)
• Combining secular and spiritual learning as an integrated, “wholehearted” approach.

8. Slowing as Reverence

• Final reflection: “We are not simply practicing slowing, but we are practicing reverence. Reverence is a feeling of love and respect for all that is sacred and it leads to a quiet transformation in life.” (26:55)
• An invitation: “Find small and simple ways to seek the Lord more regularly and declare our devotion to him…” (27:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Slowing is about calming our bodies and minds and looking up enough to trust the direction we have been given.” (06:40)
• “For God to change our lives, we have to change our availability to God.” (14:30)
• “Prayer is not enough on its own…listening is an essential part of prayer.” (15:52)
• “The Lord has promised us that if we draw near unto him, he will draw near unto us. Slowing is a way to make our time with God special…” (17:38)
• “The ultimate consecration is the yielding of ourselves up to God.” (21:33)
• “Slowing can help us become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ in every facet of our lives.” (26:30)
• “Life is better with Christ…as I have tried to make my time special and holy by putting the Lord first, I have seen miracles with greater frequency.” (27:08)

Important Segments and Timestamps

• Making Time Special, Art as Living: (02:18-04:00)
• Slowing in Contemporary Life: (04:05-06:40)
• Slowing as Discipleship: (06:41-08:45)
• Scriptural Foundations for Slowing: (08:46-11:05)
• Relating Practice to Personal Revelation: (11:06-13:30)
• Anecdotes and Personal Application: (13:31-17:32)
• Slowing as Spiritual Self-Examination and Change: (19:45-24:00)
• Letting God Prevail and Authenticity: (25:30-26:30)
• Final Invitation and Testimony: (26:55-27:20)

Conclusion

Shayla Bott’s address weaves together artistry, scriptural insight, and personal experience to make a compelling case for “slowing” as a spiritual practice. Her message is clear: setting aside intentional moments to slow down, be still, and seek God creates space for personal revelation, healing, and deep discipleship. The episode closes with a heartfelt witness of Christ’s living reality and an invitation to integrate small, intentional acts of reverence into daily life, ensuring that—in the rush of the world—listeners do not miss the sacred stillness where God is found.

For a richer spiritual life, begin with the simple act of slowing: “Be still, and know that I am God.”