Beauty In The Silence

"His Voice beckons..."

I arose early, still groggy with sleep, as I slid my feet into my house slippers and donned my cotton robe. Sliding on a pair of glasses, I shuffled to the coffee maker for my morning cup of tea.

The screened patio beckoned as I curled up in my chair with a furry blanket on the unusually cool May morning. Peace hung in the air with its stillness. It was early, so I drank in the quiet like a warm cup of tea. Only a few chirping birds interrupted the reverie. I drank in the beauty of the simple silence.

Opening the first of several scriptures and devotionals, I noted a recurring theme: the importance of quieting the soul at the start of a day, and in the midst of a chaotic, noisy world. The world and all the demands of life will constantly compete for our attention, but have we started the day anchored in the peace of the soul? And are we stopping long enough to listen deeply and linger long enough to breathe in the peace of God’s Word before we face the day?

Too often, our souls are frazzled and overwhelmed because we never sit still long enough to just be present. Peace is a priceless commodity in this fast-paced world. And the competing noise of this society pulls constantly for our attention!

"The spa was anything but relaxing..."

It reminds me of a spa day I’d scheduled a few years back. As I settled into my massage chair with a warm blanket while the boosting IV slowly dripped into my veins, I closed my eyes and tried to quietly relax. The overhead stereo was set to pop music as my head pounded to the beat. Another employee turned on a TV tuned to an annoying movie that competed with the music piping over the sound system. Then shrill laughter echoed from the next room where two very loud women laughed and talked! “Seriously?!” I huffed, sitting upright.

“This spa experience is anything but peaceful.” I tried to close my eyes again. But several employees stood in a hallway next to me, also carrying on a loud conversation as their voices echoed in the small business. Frustrated, I called the manager over. “Could you please shut off the TV and turn down the overhead stereo, or set it to more calming music? And if you don’t mind, please ask others to talk in the breakroom. I’m getting a headache from all the noise. I booked this appointment to relax and enjoy the quiet downtime,” I explained. Thankfully, they obliged, but I was shocked that I had to request it.

Even in a spa, the noise of life can be overwhelming. Needless to say, this spa eventually went out of business. Was part of the problem that the young employees did not value the beauty of silence?

I laugh, looking back at the absurdity of that experience. But how many of us face life like heading into a noisy spa? And how often do we rush off, frantic, facing a full day of work or a packed schedule, never even breathing in the quiet of the morning? How many of us never hit the pause button in life or shut off all the commotion just to be present with our soul and present with that still, small Voice of God?

"There's beauty in the quiet moments in life..."

Sometimes, we cannot even hear ourselves think or have a clear direction for our souls because there is far too much noise. God will never compete with all the activity and busyness that fills up our lives. We have to draw aside, seek Him, and listen for that whisper.

There is beauty in the silence if only we take time to listen.

Beloved:

Are you weary and overwhelmed by life’s pressures and demands? I never intended for you to be weighed down and for life to be so noisy. Draw close to Me. Spend time with Me in the stillness and let Me refresh your soul.

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)

“And after the (noise) and fire, came a gentle whisper. And Elijah heard it (God’s Voice).” (1 Kings 19:12-13)

“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Is. 30:15)