Sweet Silence

Five minutes of quiet. That is what we heard when my parents needed a break from us talking, usually in the car or at the dinner table. Sometimes the whole family would sit in silence, or we kids would be quiet, and my parents would have an opportunity to talk. Not something any kid wants to hear, but now I understand this discipline’s value and the treasure it brings. Our world today shuns silence and avoids it at all costs—anything to fill in the void it exposes in our lives. So we turn up the music, scroll social media, find another app that dings at us and rush to the next activity.

To Busy

If Satan can’t get us anywhere else, he can surely get us to be busy. Busy schedules and stressful lives are applauded, and we do what we can to keep up with the expectations we put on ourselves. People ask how we are, “I’m just so busy!”—is often the reply they get. I am not condemning full schedules, simply challenging us to consider what busyness does for us; and why we find ourselves rushing to meet its demands.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23). This is a sobering scenario that Jesus gives. Here are people who thought their hard work had secured them a place in heaven. They were busy with kingdom work but didn’t know the Father or his will for their lives. How many will be surprised by such news when they see Jesus face to face?

Struggling with Silence

We recently attended a retreat where the speaker challenged us to pray for 100 hours over whatever particular area we might be struggling in. Ben and I committed to praying 100 hours about our future, specifically some decisions we have to make this fall. I have been very alarmed at how difficult this task has been. Long periods of prayer used to come quite easily to me. With four kids, I have learned to adapt my prayer life to fit it in here and there, praying on the go and in short spurts. Carving out time and practicing silence and solitude has been more painful than I thought. Letting the minutes tick by without seeing much progress feels like a waste (even though I know there is nothing more valuable I could be doing!).

It’s incredible how much we can feel the desperation for God and long to be in his presence, but at the same time struggle immensely with the discipline of silently waiting before him. Of calming our soul to the point where we feel no need for anything other than God’s presence.

Not a Blast of Hurry

I often think of these lines from the hymn, Like a River Glorious, when the day’s busyness has gotten the best of me. I take some deep breaths and tune into our God, who is never in a hurry.

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest

Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest. (Havergal, Frances)

There is always going to be a list of things to do. We will continually be invited to do more and add another commitment to our calendars. And the world will constantly be vying for our attention. But we must tune our ears to hear our Good Shepherd as he woos us into his love, leads us beside still waters, and makes us lay down in green pastures. Only after we are refreshed in him can we walk in the paths of righteousness that he has set before us.

Take time to be silent with our Good Shepherd today. You won’t regret it!