“Be Still and Know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

Growing up, I did everything in my power to avoid silence. Whether it was by humming, playing music, talking (my favorite), or watching a show/movie, I never let more than a few seconds of this “silent” ring run through my ears. However, as I aged, especially in the most recent years, I recognized the crucial need for silence in our walk with God. Actually, I would consider silence to be a package deal with something many people also avoid…stillness.

The google definition of a quiet place is a place in which there is little to no noise. A place radiating with peace and no major disturbances. A place where we can be still.

Last Friday, I needed to read a few chapters of a book for a class, so I decided to go to this park I used to run at last semester. It was never too populated and it was very big, making it the perfect place to read under one of the oddly tall trees. So there I sat, sippin’ on my delicious Matcha latte with just the right amount of vanilla syrup to hide the unbearable bitterness, reading my assigned book about Jesus and the world’s justice issues. As I listened to the breeze rush through the branches above me and the leaves tumble by, I remembered the peace God gave me when I would finish my run and sit on the top of the hill listening to worship music just a few months earlier. It was so graceful seeing all of creation flourish perfectly as I sat on my little toy story themed towel. Then, it got me thinking.

Reflecting back on the life of Jesus, I was intrigued of how serious He took His quiet place. All throughout the Gospels, you can read about the times that Jesus would isolate Himself from the crowds and His disciples to go spend hours alone with the Father. How beautiful. Regardless of how late it may have been, or how busy His day was, Jesus never pushed aside the one whom sent Him to earth with this purpose for salvation.

Matthew 6:6 says, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

We were created to be with the Father. But with sin fracturing that original relationship, the only way in which one can experience His presence is through seeking Him, His voice, and the Spirit. What better form of listening can we express than making ourselves quiet and open for whatever He is trying to tell us?

Many, if not all of us, are bombarded by the chaos of life. But I want to share this quote from the book “Whisper” by Mark Batterson. He says “Chronic noise may be the greatest impediment to our spiritual growth.” I couldn’t find this to be more true. I often ask people if they spent time reading the Bible at some point in their day or even just spent time in prayer. If not yes, majority of the responses I receive are, “My day was just really busy”.

We humans have gotten so overwhelmed by the blessings in life, whether it be a job, family, or school, that we so easily forget about the One giving us the Blessing. We dismiss the dire need for community with God because we see the things of this world as having a greater importance or urgency. But if I could leave you with one thing, it would be this: No thing and no one can ever reveal your true purpose and give you genuine life other than God Himself.

When we allow stillness to flood our emotions, bodies, and minds, we give God the opportunity to move in whatever way He pleases. We make room for Him to heal the hurting, mend the broken, fill the empty-hearted, and give peace to the restless.

It is very easy to get caught up in the obligations of this world. And it’s not uncommon to feel drained many days, but I want to encourage you to not let your circumstance or feelings determine your faith and intimacy with God. Deciding to do a devotional every morning and read His word every night has been one of the best decisions I ever made. It has not been easy at all. I have missed some days completely and had some days where I had to reread pages over and over because I was not fully awake. Now I am not saying I hear from God all the time, but when I do, it has been nothing less than transforming. And after reviving the practice of quiet time with God in the park last Friday, I decided that will be my quiet place I visit once a week to simply be still. No noise besides creation, no entertainment besides my Bible, and no company besides God.

As I say often, we were created for one purpose to glorify God. But whatever individual mission we each were given before creation was ever completed, is only attainable and made clear if we tune into the one who created it. May you find this place of stillness, and proactive silent listening. It does not have to be a majestic wonder of the world, it just has to be a place where you can sit with God for however long you have the opportunity to give Him. If you would like to start small, do as I am. Once a week for a couple of hours. Do not underestimate the whisper God can speak over you when you go to a quiet place with Him.