“Be still…” (Ps. 46:10, ESV).
Today’s entertainment culture has consumers in a never-ending pursuit of constant stimulation. Ever more impressive graphics in movies and video games excite our senses. The industry sells us experiences that perpetually leave us in search of the next, more exhilarating audio-visual thrill.
The end result is a generation that is entirely uncomfortable with silence and solitude. The forfeiture of these commodities is an unspeakable loss. What has been relinquished? Some of the greatest wealth any human being could ever appropriate: that to be found in the cultivation of a quiet, tranquil soul.
Tragically, the titillation of our brains with excessive stimuli has distracted us from the life that is truly life. The “life more abundantly” that the Father longs to give us includes the beautiful gifts of:
- Quiet, still waters: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters” (Ps. 23:2, NIV).
- Quiet, peaceful lives: “…That we may live peaceful and quiet lives…” (1 Tim. 2:2, NIV).
- Quiet, calm souls: “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul…” (Ps. 131:2, NKJV).
- Quiet, gentle spirits: “…The ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…” (1 Peter 3:4, GNT).
Though this last one is tucked into a Scripture directed specifically to women, the passage holds a truth that is universal. That is, that the serene spirit is one of the mightiest forces on earth. As the preceding verses point out, the mere presence of a person exuding the fruit of gentle quietude in this way is enough to win over an unbeliever to faith… without ever speaking a single word. Just being in their supernaturally peaceful vicinity is that compelling.
Would you like to be one of those people? You can be! In some cases, it may require a lifestyle overhaul. If you quickly become edgy and unsettled when you find yourself alone in the silence of your bedroom, then it may be time for a major change. Silent solitude is probably exactly what you need to build into your life. Jesus wants to teach you to be utterly at ease in just His company – and your own – in complete stillness.
It’s in the quiet that we can hear His voice. He is always speaking, but so often the noise of our unhealthily busy lives drowns out His words. If we earnestly want to hear Him, we must covet silence. We must give anything to have it. We must war against everything that would steal it from us.
Lean in today. Listen intently to His invitation:
“…Think deeply about this, when you lie in silence on your beds” (Ps. 4:4, TEV).
“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Ps. 46:10, ESV).
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Have you and silence become good friends?
Feeding On Jesus 
Jennifer, I find the solitude of my morning walks to be a wonderful time to reflect, clear my mind of the junk, and enjoy God’s creation.
These moments fill me up in a much better way than anything else. You are correct about our lives being bombarded with an overload of information. We have to be careful with avoiding being consumed by them.
Before I learned more about my health and pre-diabetic condition, I was nearly addicted to sweets. Sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose sweetners told my body that I needed more. Just as we have to walk away from the extra stimulation in our culture, my body had to walk away from unhealthy foods.
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You are right, Richard, there is such an important parallel there. Junk food physically has a similar effect on our body to filling our inner life with junk. Thank you!
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A friendship with Silence? Sure, but for me, most importantly I consider it medicine.
It’s interesting that in less than three weeks– yes, I’m counting 🙂 — we will on the Gulf Coast in Florida. With the waves pounding the shoreline, it can be an extremely noisy place. But at the same time, it creates for us such interior peace and quiet! We get wrapped up in the beauty and power of the Gulf, and it becomes a retreat experience!
I’ve come to believe that the oceans provide a good analogy for experiencing God– very beautiful, very welcoming and peaceful, but we must be trained to treat them (and our Lord) with appropriate respect in order to avoid trouble. — Mike
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Wow, yes!! The ocean really does reflect Him in such a vivid way. Peaceful and SO powerful at the same time. I totally get why you are counting the days!!
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Part of what I enjoy about my devotional time is the peace and quiet. I’ve been having that time outside when I can, enjoying just the quiet sounds of nature, before the noise and labor of the day.
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Agreed. Nature is a great antidote for unwelcome noise.
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What a gift that must be! I was out at our Missions School campus today, which is about an hour outside of the city in the rainforest. I was so enjoying His closeness out in nature too. There really is something about being outside. 🙂
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Again thank you. Exquisite Gift of Silence – that expresses it so well. Be Still and Know that I am God. That is a scripture I remember in this world of jangling noise and must do entertainments. It is only in the SILENCE that true God connection if found. Blessings. Be Still. Love F.
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Aaaamen. Be still. ❤ Thank you, Faye!
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should read is found.
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✌
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