Saturday, June 09, 2007

Silence

There are authors in my life that are introducing me to a new way to grow in my relationship with the Lord. It is called silence.

The thing about silence and our culture is they really don't go together very well. I personally have avoided silence like the plague and welcomed with open arms the noisiness. Silence only represented a lonely place for me.

Sitting, in silence with the Lord, is not for the faint of heart especially if your one who naturally loves noise. It is also not an invitation to mindlessness. Many Christians avoid this topic because they are afraid they are being invited to participate in mindlessness.

When I read different authors explain their way of sitting with God silently I found there are many variations of this practice. It was very helpful to read a handful of them. I'll leave that to you to explore on your own if your interested. The times when I sit quietly with the intention of focusing on the Lord is quite random. These times are very short in their duration. Usually five minutes maybe ten minutes tops.

My intention for writing this is to share what I have discovered so far from choosing silence:

I am more comfortable and even often prefer to have nothing going on in the background of my life.

Silence is not lonely anymore because overall I am more aware of the presence of God.

I more readily accept that God is God and I am not. My attitude can be more easily brought to a place of surrender in everyday circumstances. I yearn for God's words, "Be still and know that I am God" to be the attitude of my heart. In other words I don't feel as full of my own agenda. I am hopeful it is easier for God to get my attention.

Which brings me back to my very favorite verses these days:

Lamentations 3:21-26

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

1 comment:

Robyn Rochelle E. said...

when God first called me to silence I didn't want to tell anyone -- you know: weird single mom seeks silence in the mountains with God. Thought that someone might come and take my kids away- haha! The first 'silent retreat' I thought 2 days would be a good start. That was where I began. One summer 2 days in the mountains in total silence. As the years passed two days turned into five every year. I found that if I didn't have at least 3 I didn't have enough. Seems that something happens in that third day of silence. ? I don't get it, but it is that way-- it is. He knows what He is preparing you for. Enjoy the silence. You will 'hear' Him ROAR!