My husband and I enjoy visiting state and national parks. The majestic state and national parks beckon with their lush greenery, towering mountains, and quietness. And, as we stray further into remote areas, the more we encounter an incredible sense of peace in the awe of our surroundings. At Caprock Canyons State Park in Texas, the rolling hills, cloaked in a tapestry of vibrant golden hues, stretch as far as the eye can see, inviting you to get lost in their kaleidoscope of colors. In the heart of the wilderness, surrounded by towering trees and untouched landscapes, I found solace in the blissful embrace of solitude, and I felt a deep sense of God.
These types of moments remind me of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 (NIV); “11 The Lord said, go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” We find God in the quietness.
Quiet Our Souls
Have you ever noticed how fresh snow absorbs sound? It achieves this by lowering ambient noise over a landscape as the trapped air between the snowflakes decreases vibrations. Like the snow, we need to decrease the vibrations of the world, so we connect on a deeper level with our Creator. All those noises crowd out His still, small voice that whispers hope to us. Just like the snow absorbs sounds, we need to train our brains to quiet our souls and tune out the noise of the world for a few minutes each day.
Ways to Quietness
Finding the quietness takes some effort, but it begins with silencing all our human devices. Each morning, I love to sit in the living room and listen to the birds gather in our yards to enjoy some birdseed. No phones, no TV and no computer. They call me to quietness and my heart relaxes, leading me to the perfect frame of mind to sit at the feet of Jesus in prayer. The key is finding a time and place away from distractions. Psalm 46:10 (NIV); “He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Also, start small. Like preparing for anything, it takes practice to master a new skill, and this is no different. Start by committing five minutes of the day. And find a time that works best for you. Maybe you’re not a morning person, so set up a time of quietness in the evening. The important part is to stay consistent in the practice. Psalm 62:5 (NLT); “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
The habit of quietness is something you can improve upon and develop, but it doesn’t always come easily. It takes a little practice and intention to listen to God’s voice and its important because He has something to say to you.
Prayer
Oh Lord, you know my heart better than I know it myself. You know my struggles and you hold each hope and fear in your caring hands. Teach me, LORD, to be still and to know that You are God.
You are in Your holy temple; let all the earth, including my mind and heart, be silent before You, resting in Your sovereignty. Like Elijah, teach me to wait for Your still, small voice and quiet the earthquakes and blazing fires in my life.
Replace my restless doing with inner calm, and help me, like Mary, to sit at your feet in quiet adoration even if there are a million things clamoring for my attention. Just as You spoke over the tumultuous sea and storms, so speak over my heart, Your shalom. Amen.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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