The Joy of Silence

" In contemporary society our adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds." ~Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline

I'm not sure where or when I received the gift of the joy of silence.  I am a child of the television generation and grew up in a house that had T.V.'s in every bedroom as well as the family room.  Our stereo system (before everyone had their own personal I-pod) was fitted with speakers to each living space and the outdoor patio.  The first thing my dad did when we got a new car was add better speakers to the rear so that we could enjoy the full effect of our 8 track tape player.  

Yet somewhere in all that typical noise filled environment, I recognized that silence brought me joy.  Quiet gave my mind space for reflection and opened my ears to the still small voice of God.  It was restful to sit outside and listen to natural sounds or to nothing at all.  My soul was restored when I chose to turn off the electronic boxes.  

Noise makes me feel anxious.  When I am surrounded by noise, my blood pressure rises.  I feel pressured and tend toward hurrying.  I have less patience for the people around me.  My attention is divided. 

Satan uses noise to distract me from hearing God.  He tries to get me to focus on the waves and forget that the Master of the waves has promised to take care of me. 

When the LORD came to Elijah--He wasn't in the wind, or the earthquake but was in the whisper.  You can't hear a whisper over a rock concert.

As an experiment, try to go an hour or two without any music or television.  If you have young children (and are never able to have quiet :) then try it when you are in the car alone.  Don't fill every minute with sound.  Ask God to fill it for you with His voice.

"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