“ He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul” Psalm 23:2b, 3a
Years ago, Bill and I were camped next to a beautiful river. No one else was in sight. Right out the door of this lovely trailer was the sound of a waterfall, which never stopped. In fact, it was all I could hear. I could not hear the wind or the birds. In the middle of all this beauty, it felt a bit like being by a busy highway. However, If I moved just a little way down the river, it was so quiet. I sat there often. I loved it.
Every day, I walk my dog, Penny. I always have an audio book on the go and listen to various podcasts or perhaps some music. Each day is a debate in my head, what should I listen to today?
Today as I got Penny’s leash on, the thought crossed my mind. ‘Leave the noise behind.’ So...I did. It is a hot sunny day here in Toronto. So, I walked and talked to God. Finally, I just chose to be silent in case He had anything He wanted to say to me. And He did. He reminded me in that still, small voice of the beauty of silence and all that happens if we choose to keep the noise at bay.
The truth is we live in a noisy world. Choosing silence is often a conscious decision. In the seasons of life, silence is in short supply. I remember when I had 4 small children at home. It was chaos until nap or bedtime. Then I would get done everything that the day would not allow me to do. I wish I would have enjoyed the silence more. I think I had become a bit addicted to noise and activity.
I am in a different season now. The truth regarding the benefits of silence has not changed, though I am in a different season.
Here are a few benefits that I was thinking about today.
1. Silence allows us to discover what we are truly thinking about, instead of waiting until the middle of the night!
2. Silence can bring to the forefront a truth that business and noise has silenced.
3. Silence can help us remember what we have been forgetting and has been stuck in the back of our mind!
4. The quiet is one of the ways that God restores our soul. (unless of course we are using the silence to rehearse offences suffered over the last week)
It is interesting that David in this Psalm did not mention the busy streets or the marketplace as the preferred location for God to restore his soul, rather the quiet waters. Psalm 46:10 remind us “Cease striving and know that I am God”.
Sometimes, we just need to be silent, waiting to hear what is on His heart for us in those precious moments. It could simply be rest.
Dear Father,
Thank you for your interest in helping my soul find rest. I choose to be quiet today, if even for a few minutes, simply to rest in Your presence. Thank you for your constant longing for us to come and sit with You. Never do You tire of our company, and I want to say thank you for that!
In Jesus Name,
Amen