I don't do well when there is quiet. I like having some kind of noise going on around me. Whether that's having the TV on in the background or running a fan so that I can sleep well at night. The quiet can be downright spooky. When you are in a quiet house, every other noise becomes louder and more ominous. Every creak and squeak can become amplified in our mind's eye.
Just sitting and being quiet can be a chore. Our minds race looking for something to do. Something to keep us busy and moving. Our lives are one big rat race, scurrying from one location to another. Constantly busy and occupied is how we want to live our lives. Staying still, being quiet, and relaxing is not one of our strengths. That's what our society currently dictates to us. Rushing from one place to another, keeping busy, with no time to relax. Even when you get one thing done, its a rush to get the next job accomplished.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake" Psalm 23: 1-3.
Seems like an idyllic setting. A calm and quiet place. But to be honest, how many of us would really be good in such a quiet place? If I am honest, I would have a hard time sitting still along my soul to be refreshed - knowing in the back of my head all the stuff I need to do.
We are not called to live rushed, hectic lives. Lives that are merely survived. That is not what we are created for. Like batteries, if we are constantly running, we will be quickly depleted. Of no use, without any recharging. Even our own sleep can be troubled, so that we wake up even more tired. We can try any means necessary, but life continues to slowly drain us. This affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The other side of quietness is listening. That would require us to be quiet and pay attention. I am not very good at listening, rather waiting for the next opening to speak. If we are so ready to speak, we don't hear what is going on around us in the world. It becomes selfishness - we want everyone to hear us but we don't bother to hear. Sounds like a lot of our social media. We can despise the quiet so much that we have to make our own noise.
We do this oftentimes with God, especially during prayer. Listing our needs at a rapid, saying "Amen" and moving on. Not giving God time to speak to us. Preferring the one-sided conversation. Think of when you deal with someone who does all the talking. Not the most fun experience to deal with. Yet, we can do this to others and with God. There's nothing wrong with telling God our wants and needs. Yet, true communication is a two-way street and so is our relationship with God.
Even though God knows everything on our hearts, He allows us to dialogue and have talks with Him. Drawing us closer to Him in those times. That involves listening. Any relationship becomes stronger when both parties hear and are being heard. God wants to reveal Himself to us, and yet, we can get so caught up that we miss it. Failing to hear and see what is happening.
Think of nature. How peaceful it is sitting there and hearing birds chirping, the trees swaying in the breeze, or the sound of a moving stream. It is a pretty serene, calming scene. Draw one's breath and just rest. Not sleep, real rest. Walking through nature and just observing its beauty as you go.
God speaks to us in many ways besides an audible voice. Images and remembrances. Passages and memories. Beholding His creation. But, in our hectic pace, we may fail to notice. That's why we need our quiet times and true rest. Resting promotes healing. Listening begets understanding. Life is short, I know, but that should not mean we rush through it at breakneck speed. Reaching whatever goal we are speeding to, yet missing all the majesties abounding around us along the way.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.
Rest for our souls. Not just physical rest. This sounds so much deeper than 8 hours sleeping in bed. So much better for us. The Lord wants us to thrive, not live our lives merely survived.
Just sitting and being quiet can be a chore. Our minds race looking for something to do. Something to keep us busy and moving. Our lives are one big rat race, scurrying from one location to another. Constantly busy and occupied is how we want to live our lives. Staying still, being quiet, and relaxing is not one of our strengths. That's what our society currently dictates to us. Rushing from one place to another, keeping busy, with no time to relax. Even when you get one thing done, its a rush to get the next job accomplished.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake" Psalm 23: 1-3.
Seems like an idyllic setting. A calm and quiet place. But to be honest, how many of us would really be good in such a quiet place? If I am honest, I would have a hard time sitting still along my soul to be refreshed - knowing in the back of my head all the stuff I need to do.
We are not called to live rushed, hectic lives. Lives that are merely survived. That is not what we are created for. Like batteries, if we are constantly running, we will be quickly depleted. Of no use, without any recharging. Even our own sleep can be troubled, so that we wake up even more tired. We can try any means necessary, but life continues to slowly drain us. This affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The other side of quietness is listening. That would require us to be quiet and pay attention. I am not very good at listening, rather waiting for the next opening to speak. If we are so ready to speak, we don't hear what is going on around us in the world. It becomes selfishness - we want everyone to hear us but we don't bother to hear. Sounds like a lot of our social media. We can despise the quiet so much that we have to make our own noise.
We do this oftentimes with God, especially during prayer. Listing our needs at a rapid, saying "Amen" and moving on. Not giving God time to speak to us. Preferring the one-sided conversation. Think of when you deal with someone who does all the talking. Not the most fun experience to deal with. Yet, we can do this to others and with God. There's nothing wrong with telling God our wants and needs. Yet, true communication is a two-way street and so is our relationship with God.
Even though God knows everything on our hearts, He allows us to dialogue and have talks with Him. Drawing us closer to Him in those times. That involves listening. Any relationship becomes stronger when both parties hear and are being heard. God wants to reveal Himself to us, and yet, we can get so caught up that we miss it. Failing to hear and see what is happening.
Think of nature. How peaceful it is sitting there and hearing birds chirping, the trees swaying in the breeze, or the sound of a moving stream. It is a pretty serene, calming scene. Draw one's breath and just rest. Not sleep, real rest. Walking through nature and just observing its beauty as you go.
God speaks to us in many ways besides an audible voice. Images and remembrances. Passages and memories. Beholding His creation. But, in our hectic pace, we may fail to notice. That's why we need our quiet times and true rest. Resting promotes healing. Listening begets understanding. Life is short, I know, but that should not mean we rush through it at breakneck speed. Reaching whatever goal we are speeding to, yet missing all the majesties abounding around us along the way.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.
Rest for our souls. Not just physical rest. This sounds so much deeper than 8 hours sleeping in bed. So much better for us. The Lord wants us to thrive, not live our lives merely survived.
Comments
Post a Comment