Selected by reader, Jason Tilley
Silence is not something I have to endure. It is a discipline to be embraced. To be quiet, even in my thoughts. I need to resist the temptation to fill the void with my own contribution, and listen to God’s.
Originally posted on March 5, 2018 with readings from Job 34 and 2 Corinthians 4.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. — 2 Corinthians 4.18
Reflection: Godly Silence :: Readers’ Choice
By Matt Tullos
The sole cause of man’s unhappiness is he does not know how to stay quietly in his room. — Blaise Pascal
My wife and kids were away the night a violent thunderstorm hit our town and the electricity went out. At that moment I was watching a football game, scanning twitter, and listening to music.
When darkness arrived in a split second I realized that the battery on my iPhone was almost gone. A brief moment of panic ensued. I realized that in a matter of minutes I would be thrust into the lifestyle millions of people enjoyed in the 1800s!
The silence and lack of media connection was unnerving at first. It was then that I sensed the presence of God speaking to me about my addiction to noise. After 15 minutes I had rediscovered the beauty of silence.
These days, silence is something we must fight to achieve, but it is definitely worth the fight. The National Center of Biotechnology stated in a study that two minutes of silence is more relaxing than listening to “relaxing” music, based on changes in blood pressure and blood circulation in the brain.
However, this is not new knowledge for people of the Book. The Bible urges us to experience silence as a spiritual discipline.
Every day we are faced with the choice of constant communication, noise and blather or intentional, Jesus-focused silence.
Don’t wait for a power outage in order to spend time in silence. God might be trying to tell you something but all the ambient noise and entertainment leaves you deaf to His voice.
I believe we would be astounded by all God wants to say to us and yet He never gets a chance because of our preoccupation with news, messages, conversations and entertainment. Silence isn’t just golden, it is godly.
Ask yourself, “How am I seeking silence in my day?” and “Why is constant communication and auditory stimulation so addictive?”
Take time to spend 15 minutes in silence today. Allow to God speak into your soul.
*From a series Matt wrote called 39 Words. A few of these posts are available in audio form via Soundcloud. — John
Prayer: The Call to Prayer
But I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. — Psalm 55.17
– Prayer from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Prayers from The Divine Hours available online and in print.
Today’s Readings
Lamentations 1 (Listen – 4:44)
Psalm 32 (Listen – 1:34)
This Weekend’s Readings
Lamentations 2 (Listen – 4:55) Psalm 33 (Listen – 2:08)
Lamentations 3 (Listen – 5:10) Psalm 34 (Listen – 2:14)
Additional Reading
Read More about Restorative Silence
Once a spiritual discipline, silence is now more likely to be viewed as the uncomfortable penalty for those who do not have enough to do.
Read More about Hearing in Silence
It is not that God is not speaking or communicating to us. Rather, we have allowed ourselves to get back into such a hole that all we hear is the noise around us.
Readers’ Choice
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