On summer mornings, when I would sit outside for my quiet time, I was constantly aware of an underlying hum of traffic on the expressway a mile away. Except on Sundays, when there was no traffic. Everything felt so peaceful on Sundays.
Silence and stillness were plentiful in the wilderness, but they are rare commodities in our world. No matter where I am, background noise assaults my ears (with an occasional annoying ‘earworm’ lodged in my brain). No matter what I am doing, my mind is filled with chores clamoring to be addressed. Sometimes I’m desperate to make it stop.
True silence is the rest of the mind;
it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body: nourishment, and refreshment.
William Penn
Like solitude, silence and stillness must be deliberately chosen. The three together are the foundation of our formation.
I meet God in stillness.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10 NLT
I learn patience in His presence.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:7a NLT
In silence, I remember where my hope is.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5 English Standard Version
Jesus knew the necessity of quietness and rest:
Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. Mark 6:31-32 NLT
Imagine! Being alone in the quiet – with Jesus!
Oh, wait! We can be! We can choose to use solitude, silence and stillness to prepare to enter His presence. It just takes willingness, patience – and practice.
Tomorrow – some suggestions on how to begin.
