Silence

Where I live, finding silence is not easy. If you think that you are in a quiet place, take a moment to really listen. As I write this I hear the noise of occasional cars, the ticking of clocks and the sound of distant voices. It really isn't quiet at all.

I've noticed that many people just don't like silence. They don't handle it well. During a recent journey, someone across the aisle had his iPod turned up so loud that I could hear pretty clearly what was on the playlist.

Silence, whether we like it or not, is important to spiritual and mental growth. Scripture says "Be still and know that I am God." While coporate worship and small group discussions are important and necessary in spiritual growth and health, a knowledge of God and our relationship to Him comes out of silence.

The great prophets of the Old Testament spent time in solitude. Jesus often spent the entire night in prayer. John wrote prophetically of the course of history and of the glories of Heaven while on Patmos away from the society of his day.

If solitude and silence are so important to Christian development, why doe we avoid it as we do? Perhaps it is because facing ourselves as we really are is uncomfortable to us. Or could it be that being alone with God is too much for us to handle? Whatever the answer, filling the times when we could be alone and quiet with people or noise is not an appropriate solution. Regardless of how we may feel, silence is important to us.

In a noisy and action-filled world, how does one go about finding silence? One might begin by finding a place where it is silent. It could be a park or library. It could be at home at certain times of the day. When I was a boy, my father found solitude for study and prayer at 4 am. Sometimes I find silence in an open cathedral or a seminary library. Silence can be created by turning off the TV or stereo. When traveling alone in the car, create silence by turning off the radio.

How does one use silence for Christian growth? Begin by an appropriate reading from Scripture. Expand beyond the list of "favorite texts." After reading the scripture passage, ask God to guide in the application of its principles to life. Many have found it useful to put their thoughts on paper for later consideration. Remember that spiritual growth is a process instead of an instantaneous event. We may find it necessary to reflect on the same lessons again and again before they become part of daily life.

Our spirituality and fulfillment will grow as we creatively pursue the gift of silence.