The Sound of Silence

     Our world is a busy, fast-paced and noisy place if you haven't noticed.  This was especially true when we were busy raising our four children.  There were times when I wondered if I would ever be able to have a complete thought without someone asking a question.  Now, of course, the house is relatively quiet on most days with the children grown and gone.  Even our dog is silent, unless of course, someone comes to the door.  However, there is a value to silence in life.  It gives us an opportunity to think and meditate on the Lord.

     Over and over again in Scripture, we see the Lord Jesus slip away for a time to rest and spend time praying.  His days were filled with ministering to people and being fully man as well as fully God, he was subject to fatigue as we are so rest coupled with time in the presence of His Father renewed both His body and spirit. On one occasion described in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and His disciples had traveled to Capernaum where He both taught in the Synagogue then went to the home of Peter. In Peter's home, he healed his mother-in-law who had been ill.  At sundown, many came to the house to be healed. Then, Jesus did a remarkable thing.  Mark 1:35-37: "And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him, and they found Him and said to Him. 'Everyone is looking for you.'" There are a number of times He did this setting a model that we might do well to follow.

   

 Jesus was demonstrating balance in life. From Scripture, we know that He had great compassion on the people giving Himself to them through teaching and healing.  Yet, He wisely knew when He needed to retreat, rest and most importantly pray. Being quiet before God and resting in His presence, laying before Him both our praise and our requests draws us out of the hubbub of living into the realm of His almighty presence.  If our Lord Jesus needed to do this as evidenced in Matthew, Mark and Luke, then, we also need to put aside time each day to dwell in His presence. Some may call it a "quiet time" but by whatever name we give it, this slice of time is meant for our well-being each day just as the Sabbath is designed to give us relief from our work that we may worship God.

     Certainly Jesus could have stayed on in Capernaum for some time with His ministry, but after a night of rest and time alone with His Father, He knew he needed to take the message of salvation to other towns as well.  We have a greater clarity of purpose and vision when we take a "time out" especially as we spend it with the Lord.

     As a child, I always enjoyed a special spot in our horse pasture sitting on the large root of an old oak tree near the "Little Turkey Foot Creek" that babbled along our property.  I would just sit for a long time and listen to the creek.  Sometimes I would talk to myself and other times I would talk to God and ask Him questions.  I remember those times of solitude and even to this day, I enjoy quiet time as my husband and I take walks in the Florida mornings.  Looking at nature, listening to the sounds of the birds, and inviting our Savior to walk with us as we both pray silently gets the day off to a good start.

     A routine of engaging with others in activities of the day and then retreating to a quiet space where we can rest and be alone with God is precious and well worth every minute we spend.  Jesus set an example for us that we might be better prepared to face the challenges of the world in which we live.  Don't be afraid of the sound of silence but rather, take time to be refreshed in Him.  Put away the electronics, your phone and all to hear more clearly God speak to you in His Word.  Selah!