In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in “muchness” and “manyness,” he will rest satisfied. – Richard Foster
Stop whatever you are doing. Listen. What do you hear? Are there people talking nearby? Maybe a television is on in the background. Or maybe you were just listening to a song or video on your phone. When is the last time that you sought silence? Can you remember? If you are like most, you probably cannot remember the last time that you took the time to turn everything off and find a quiet place to think and pray. The world is full of distractions: work, bills, schedules, deadlines, relationships, sports, entertainment, hobbies, social media, the news, video games, and so much more. We are constantly on the go and rarely find time to depart from the noisy world to embrace the quiet. Even when I find myself at home alone I usually have either my television on or my phone playing something. However, this is exactly what the enemy wants from us. Satan wants you busy, rushed, anxious, and always on the go. He loves the noise of the world because he knows it becomes more difficult to hear God in the sea of many voices.
Mark 1:35 states, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, Jesus went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Jesus embraced the quiet. He made it a priority to rise early in the morning and depart to a solitary place. Jesus recognized the need to get away from the crowds and the chaos of the world to find a place to think and pray. Most of all, Jesus coveted His alone time with His Father in heaven. Like Elijah in the wilderness (1 Kings 19:9-18), Jesus knew that in the quiet, He could better hear and discern God’s still small voice. This is not meant to imply that Jesus did not enjoy spending time with others. On the contrary, Jesus was probably the most present and personable man to ever walk the earth. Jesus was very social and valued fellowship with His disciples and loved ones, but He knew that His time with the Father was essential. Jesus knew that only God could provide Him with the wisdom and strength that He needed as a man to effectively do ministry.
I think we all would be wise to follow the example of Christ to find a solitary place of our own to embrace the quiet. It could be anywhere. God will show up wherever you go, because He is a good Father that loves to spend time with you. You could go for a walk. You could find a quiet place in your home or in your backyard. I occasionally even enjoy my quiet time with the Lord on the top of my roof. Wherever you choose, just ensure that you can find a place free from the world’s distractions to be with God. However, embracing the quiet is not to be confused with the eastern forms of meditation in which one simply empties their mind. When Christians embrace the quiet, we do so to renew our minds. By releasing the cares, concerns, and chaos of the world, we can better receive the clarity and calmness that God provides. The trick, however, is that you must do it! Do not just read or think about doing it. Embrace the quiet. Follow in the footsteps of Christ and seek a deeper relationship with our Father in heaven as we pray to Him and listen for His still small voice.
Are you ready to embrace the quiet?
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