Silence.
I know some who are frightened of silence. The stillness. The lack of activity. The absence of noise. It freaks some people out. They don’t feel of any use to anyone unless they are doing something, saying something!
Some church gatherings appear dubious of being quiet. (With good reason in some cases.) They are fully aware of the encouragement to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Even when the noise is not so joyful they will make it anyway to retain a semblance of activity, even if that activity masks underlying problems.
Here is the true fear. It’s the fear that if we stop and truly reflect on what is going on we might come across another noise. The noise of internal disquiet. The noise of perceived inadequacy. The noise of loneliness and pain. The noise of the turmoil inside of a life at seemingly perpetual war.
It is an honest person who can stop and acknowledge those warring factions within. It’s a brave person who sees that but still welcomes times of stillness and quiet.
They do this in offering themselves completely to God. They are aware that some things will only stop making the noise when the Creator Himself speaks. Unlike the tumult, he need not raise His voice. Unlike the clamour He need not batter eardrums for attention.
He whispers sweet peace.
And when He whispers, what a blessed consolation. Why? Because His ushering of peace defeats any effort to distract and disrupt. Tools of opponents are rendered useless. Even the winds and the waves of the soul must obey His will: Peace, be still.
I find great consolation in this because I am aware of so much buzzing around seeking to upset the holy equilibrium. Thanks to God who establishes and maintain the right mind. It’s not about getting the answers or seeing everything go exactly as I want. It’s about developing greater trust and respond to the whisper of peace with assurance of faith.
I can relate with the hymnal that says when I am cast down in spirit and soul, He whispers sweet peace to me. My prayer is for you to experience it however and whenever you can.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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