We served together for a short period of time but the time impacted me in ways long afterwards, probably unbeknownst to her.
It can be hard for me to express myself aloud or give my opinions to those I do not know well. Insecurity causes me to hold back. She seemed to pick up on that, often asking my thoughts and drawing me out, making it easier for me to open up. Her sensitivity and compassion made the atmosphere a safe place for me.
Quiet.
The word comes to me tonight as I sit listening to the crickets, the noise of the day has passed. The TV is off and the only sound inside the room is the whirl of the ceiling fan. The stillness brings a peace as it envelops me. More and more, I am realizing how much I enjoy the quiet. But I wonder how often being quiet is misconstrued and the quiet is neglected or forgotten. And I remember,
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:11, NLT)
We live in a time when everyone has something to say. Everyone shares opinions on everything – loudly – making it seem like those loudest have the most knowledge. Yet Paul encourages us to make it our goal to live a quiet life.
Our God can be found in the quiet.
When God called Elijah to go out on the mountain and stand before Him
(1 Kings 19: 11-12), three things took place. First, a mighty windstorm hit the mountain, tearing loose the rocks. But God was not in the wind.
An earthquake occurred but God was not in the earthquake.
Then there was a fire but God was not to be found in the fire either.
When God wanted Elijah to know His Presence, He was found in a whisper. A gentle whisper.
Is it possible that we often miss God because we are looking for the windstorm or earthquake or fire moments? You know the big moments, the flashy ones?
This world has become a place where everyone is talking, TV is accessible 24/7, and busyness reigns. Can it be our God waits for us to find Him in the quiet?
When Elijah heard the gentle whisper, he went and stood at the entrance of the cave and listened. He was ready to hear. It is then God recommissions Elijah, giving him a renewed purpose and plan. Elijah retraced his steps back to the beginning and then was able to move forward.
Let’s make some time for quiet.
It is there we will find God waiting to
renew our purpose,
replenish our strength,
and restore our hope.
Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Coffee For Your Heart and Tell His Story and Women With Intention .
I love this story of Elijah and it is one God used to remind me to still, as well. For me it’s not so much the outer distractions, but the “doer” and “thinker” in me that thrives on a busy life (internally and externally). But, I too have discovered the absolute necessity of slowing down and resting in His Presence, so I can hear Him telling me the way to go, when to speak and when to remain silent, what to do and what not. Two verses I have on my fridge to help me are: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” and “Teach me to walk in YOUR way oh Lord, in the Light of your truth, give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.”
Thank you for your encouragement to continue down this path. Will be sharing your post!
Anna, thank you for sharing the two verses on your fridge. I think they will go on index cards for a bit š Blessings!
This is such a great reminder for me today, Joanne. And you deliver it so beautifully. Quiet is countercultural, indeed, and where God seems to meet us most often. Thanks for sharing here.
Quiet is definitely countercultural these days. May we be wise, Karen, and onto the fact that “busy” is the enemy of our finding the quiet we so desperately need each day.
Nice post! I’m a quiet lover and sometimes wonder how people can really meet with the Lord in the midst of their busy schedules. It’s a challenge to make time for quiet with the constant pull of technology filling our time, but it’s worth the effort to find rest in the Lord.
Another wonderful point – we need to get away from the constant pull of technology. It is amazing how much time it can truly consume in a day. Glad you added your thoughts!
My heart craves moments of quiet, and I had a sweet experience yesterday — just a moment, when the noise stopped, and I was able to hear the ocean at the home of a lawn-customer. Funny how just those few moments of peace charged my battery and transported me into thankfulness.
It is amazing how the sound of an ocean can be such a peaceful and calming sound, Michele. So glad it recharged you!
Joanne, we raised our last child, Michael (now almost-39) without tv – yes, it was awesome. When he left the nest in October of 1996, soon after we decided to get cable tv – so in came DISH network. I remember having Fox news on ALL DAY LONG. Dear Lord Jesus, what was I thinking? I was so caught up in “news alerts” “fast breaking news” and one day I realized, all of this was going on those 17 years without tv and you survived. Off went the daily bombardment of news and talk and talking heads and talking points, and so many ghastly etcetera’s. I like quiet. For example, right now in my work-from-home office, with window open I hear…wild turkeys on the hill chattering and clucking as they gorge themselves on grasshoppers, an unidentified bird singing its heart out, and my on-going buzz of tinnitus. LOL. I love the quiet. I love you. And, if you consider MY PILLOW? Call customer service and talk to the wonderful woman who will help you select the perfect one for each of you…xo
Susan, I loved that you described the “quiet” you hear from your open windows. So funny as just yesterday, I sat with Jocelyn in my lap out on the deck. We played a game of identifying the sounds we were hearing. She loved it! She even noticed we had to be still to hear. Praying she remembers that as she grows older! You are a blessing to me! xo
Joanne, isn’t it a blessing when God puts people like your friend in our lives, even for a short time? When I was a kid, I always felt awkward because I was quiet and never knew what to say. It wasn’t until I was about 30 that I really started feeling comfortable with this aspect of my personality. Nowadays, I’m with you–I love quiet and find comfort in knowing that knowing that God’s presence is in the gentle whisper. Visiting from Coffee for Your Heart …
Lois, it’s funny you mention getting more comfortable with yourself only as you grew older. I am finding that to be true for myself as well. Or maybe it is just that I am realizing the ways in which God has changed me as I grew older and in Him. Not sure š But whichever it is, I love the quiet. Have a great weekend!
I love the quiet moments of my day. They are so few and far between with five young kids and while I try to cherish their noise I also love the silence in the morning when I can sit with my Bible and a cup of coffee and read God’s word. The mornings when my twins wake early and I try to read while they are at my feet is nice, but nearly as filling. The quiet is definitely where I find God.
Thanks for sharing! Visiting from TWW.
Katie, may God bless you for your efforts with five children to find and make your quiet time each day!
Oh, how the quiet is vital to our spiritual life. This is a beautiful reminder, Joanne, of the blessing we receive in those quiet moments. I love Elijah and his relationship with God, his lesson for us when he hears his Lord…in the way he hears Him. I am basically a quiet person but my mind can get hyperactive at times so this outside me must calm the inside me so that I can ponder in the quiet, wait for His voice in the quiet, sit in that quiet. Thanks for sharing this fine piece.
Linda, I think you raise a most important point – quiet people can still have loud minds which need quieting! So very true and I am glad you added your thoughts here! Thank you!!
How deeply I need that quiet, to listen for His whispers. Thank you for reminding me today…You and Kristin Hill Taylor must have planned this! š
The only one who planned and timed this was God as Kristin and I did not š Thank you for encouraging me today!
Becky, I was thinking the same thing as I read Joanne’s post. God is good – and he knows I need repetition in messages to really learn something. š Joanne, I loved this post and am grateful for the gentle, powerful reminder.
I’ve been enjoying the quiet of the mountains in Colorado. Next week I will be in the noise of NYC. But, I have discovered if I find the time each day to be quiet with God, it’s easier to navigate the noise. Thanks, Joanne.
Rachel, having lived and worked in NYC, I would have to agree with you. The only way to navigate the noise is to find quiet time with God each day. It surely makes the noise manageable. Enjoy your travels!