If you learn to really see things and to really listen, half your troubles are over.”
–Louis L’Amour (Brionne)
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
–Psalm 46:10 (Amplified)
—————————-
Yesterday morning, I was sitting in my chair getting ready to do my devotions. Instead of beginning to write some thoughts I just sat there, looking at the graylight trying to overcome the darkness. It was slow, but sure and eventually the dawn drove away the night, and soon I could get a glimmer of sunlight in the tops of the trees. I thought about what I recently wrote about Martha being “cumbered.” Was I that way? I was reading my Bible and other good books. I was studying, but was I letting them get in the way of just being quiet and listening?
Luke Dysinger said, “Give to God what you have found in your heart.” Then Bernard Brady added to this, “Then pause for a moment.” That is where the issues lie. First, do I/we take time to really look deep into our heart? We get busy with “things” and we don’t contemplate deeply the Word of God. The second problem is–pausing. Oh my, how can a person possibly pause in this frantic world? Annie and I are both retired, yet it seems hard to take time to pause, and perhaps that is the problem–taking time.
People want peace and tranquility in their lives. But where is it? Many, and I believe a majority of people cannot even lie down at night and fall quickly to sleep. They are still caught up in the motions of the day or are already so vexed by what will be facing them tomorrow that they cannot even rest at night. Tomorrow‘s schedule is on our mind: do this, then this, and if I have time, do this. I look at the words of Isaiah 30:15, “…In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength…” (NKJV) That is what the Lord says, but what do the people do? Go on to verse 16, “And you said, ‘No, for we will flee on horses’—Therefore you shall flee! And, ‘We will ride on swift horses’—Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!” (NKJV) Rushing to and fro and for naught. Where is the quiet time before the Lord?
“When one finally arrives at the point where schedules are forgotten, and becomes immersed in ancient rhythms, one begins to live…” so wrote Sigurd Olson. Man then begins to plan, (get the picture) and then as Olson continues, “In the process, however, the man will still be so imbued with the sense of hurry and the thrill of travel that they actually lose what they came to find.” Trying to make things happen instead of living the life that God has intended for us. Now, don’t get me wrong. We have to have schedules, some jobs more than others. I realize that family, career, friends, and even church puts demands on our lives that must be met, but the key is to find somewhere, some time to get alone and quiet before the Lord.
When you’re quiet and alone you begin to see things that you might not have seen before. “All people look, but few really see,” said Louis L’Amour. Sit quietly and maybe a fox will wander near you. Listen and you may hear that still small voice of the Lord speaking to you. Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence… The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. We need silence.” Yet, even in the church noise seems to abound. An example of this happened to us just a few weeks back. The music was so loud and bombastic that we couldn’t even begin to think much less pray and concentrate on the Lord. However, “when you’re quiet and still things come to you.” (Greg Lane)
So I would encourage you to find that spot where you can avoid the noise and take time to be quiet to listen to the Lord. You must also find, not only the place, but the time. It doesn’t have to be long, but I would say start with ten minutes. Ten minutes of thinking about the Lord. Ten minutes contemplating, perhaps your favorite verses. Ten minutes of solitude where you can be refreshed.