Quietness
I have enjoyed the posts of my sisters here on Laced With Grace recently, scenes of meadows and squirrels. I love the outdoors and communing with God in nature. But I live in a city–Jersey City. We are a 20-minute PATH train ride away from Manhattan. Here in the city, it’s noisy during the day, and sometimes at night, too. On our recent trip to India, the noise level was significantly greater – and we were in a village! The road was about 25 yards from our front door and at dusk, the combination of the birds and traffic was almost so loud I couldn’t hold a conversation! Listen to this video …
Recently I posted a devotion about “Busyness” and now I’m meditating on silence. I guess that’s because I move around too much and am rarely in a silent place. I crave silence and stillness. At home the radio or television is on; in the car the radio is on; walking in the neighborhood there is lots of noise. Today as I walked by a classroom, empty except for a professor sitting at a table in the front, I peeked my head in and said “hello.” But she didn’t hear me. Her head was down, she was looking at her phone, and earbuds were in her ears. We manufacture noise so we don’t have to deal with silence.
Is it possible we are missing all that God wants to tell us amidst the noise and busyness? I’m reminded of a verse in Isaiah 30:15:
"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel,
says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in
quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have
none of it."
And who can forget Elijah, after his victory over the prophets of Baal he was in a slump; he needed to hear from God. God was not in the noise–He appeared in the quiet.
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)
Let’s come away from the noise, the busyness, the over-committed days, and spend time in quietness and rest with our Savior.
Wow, that sure is a noisy place. Not only the birds, but all the traffic.
I love to get up early in the morning to read His Word. I love quietness and always take some time out of the day to just have peace and quiet.
Iris- thanks for your post. You have an admirable discipline. I find mornings are best for bible reading,too, but too often I’m rushed. I need to cut back on some commitments- eliminate the good to make room for the great. Spending more time with Jesus is Great!
I love the quiet. Recently my husband and I turned the tv off, for good. It’s amazing where your mind settles when the distractions are gone. Good Word!
That’s impressive, Laurie! I prefer a good book to the TV any day of the week, but there are a few shows I like to watch. I am finding my rest in quietness more and more, but it’s just so hard to find a quiet spot!