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Quietness.
Stop whatever you are doing right now. That’s right, stop! Wherever you may be, turn off music. Smart phones. I-pads. Remove all technological distractions. Shoo people out of the room. If it is genuinely quiet, and you are uncomfortable, then you need to learn the benefit of quietness. Few people today, including many Christians, do not understand the value of being quiet before the Lord. Burnout is at all-time high levels. Why? Because our run and gun, hurry and scurry, pressure-packed, stress producing lifestyles sap our energy, wearing us out and clouding our perspective. The prophet Isaiah wrote “In quietness and confidence will be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 Strength comes from quietness and confidence. I think Isaiah knew this from firsthand experience as well as being inspired by the Holy Spirit to write it down for you and me. Isaiah was strong in the Lord because his confidence was bolstered and his faith increased as he waited quietly before the Almighty God he served. Isaiah’s ministry was very demanding. God used him to call a rebellious, disobedient nation back to their righteous roots. The prophet was all too familiar with high stress days when the people ignored his message. Isaiah was faithful to his call because in the midst of the madness of trying to reach a spiritually deaf audience, he retreated to quiet places to receive strength from the Lord. Quiet, secluded places ministered to God’s minister. Maybe you don’t need to steal away to a secluded, quiet place on a regular basis. But I do. My personality, the nature of my ministry, and the normal stresses, pressures and strains of life disrupt my peace and deplete my spiritual/emotional strength. Quiet places invite me to come apart so I do not fall apart! I am in rather good company because often Jesus slipped away to a secluded place to pray and be quiet before His Father. Jesus set a practical example for managing stress! “And after bidding the disciples farewell, Jesus departed to the mountain to pray” (Mark 6:46). The Lord understood that life stresses us out. His life was no exception. He ministered for three years. Multitudes sought Him for teaching and healing, producing a constant drain on His spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical energy. As a human like us, His resources needed replenished. More people pressure. More ministry. Not good. I believe a major stressor for Jesus was dealing with the disciples. What a crew! There are times I am certain, shaking His head, He looked to heaven asked the Father “Why in the world did you give me this dozen guys who I have to teach over and over again about faith?” Honestly, you and I are not much different than the original disciples. I am sure we stress Jesus out from time to time with our struggle with unbelief and doubt. If the Son of God needed to get away to a quiet place, I certainly need to! The Benefits of Quiet Places
Nature is my favorite place. Out of the way parks. Hidden lakes. Forests. Pastures. Hilltops overlooking scenic valleys. All of these are my favorite quiet places. Gentle breezes blowing across my face, melodic birds chirping in the distance, hawks soaring overhead, babbling brooks splashing at my feet, stillness that whispers to my spirit …. aahh I am ready to shut off this computer and go right now! Quiet places….secluded places….makes for peaceful, stress-free faces! Where is your quiet place? Where do you retreat to to be strengthened in the Lord? When was the last time you went to a secluded place, got quiet before the Lord and soaked up His love for you? If it has been too long, go get quiet. Find a quiet place today. Enjoy undistracted time with your Lord and Savior. “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.” Habakkuk 2:20 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3a A Word For Your Week: Get alone with God in a secluded, quiet place and soak up His presence. |
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