The Sound of Silence

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

In 2006 I attended a women’s retreat where I first learned about spiritual practices. I was blown away by the teaching on the practice of silence, and it struck me deeply. I am one of those “Let’s get ‘er done” people—not the contemplative type. Now fifteen years later, if you were to ask me what has made the biggest impact on my spiritual life, without a doubt I would say it has been the practice of silence.

After that retreat, I blocked out my calendar once a month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when my children were in school. I would walk, nap, read, and journal. Sometimes I would hear nothing from God, and sometimes I would get direction or a prompting. I believe that this simple offering of my time opened me up to experiencing God’s presence more frequently and to knowing Him more deeply in the months and years that followed.
 
One way that I continue to practice silence is during my drive back and forth to work. I turn off music, radio, and podcasts, and I try not to make phone calls. It’s a struggle. On a recent commute, I was wrestling with a work issue that I wanted to address.  It was during the drive as I was approaching the church campus that I heard the words, “Stay in Your Lane.” To me those lyrics weren’t a safe-driving reminder but a clear indication that I should not engage in an issue that was outside of my ministry role. If I had been listening to a podcast or to music, I don’t think I would have heard it.

In her book Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton says that we are starved for intimacy, to see and feel and know God in the very cells of our being. We are starved for rest and for quiet. When could you engage with God in the sound of silence, today?

For Reflection

What do you find appealing or appalling about the idea of silence? 
What would it be like to sit quietly, to rest in God?  Refreshing?  Challenging?  Confusing? Peaceful?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive my addiction to busyness, noise, and hurry. Forgive me for not wanting to slow down to be with You and hear Your voice. Give me courage today to spend a few minutes in silence with You. May this time help my heart, soul, and mind to settle and find rest in You. Amen.