Articles
Silence
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to be silent and a time to speak." – Ecclesiastes 3:1,7
What comes to your mind when you think of silence?
Some people crave silence. Think of parents with little children whose house is constantly filled with loud noise. Or maybe you live in a busy area where there's lots of noise from traffic, trains, or other happenings around you. You may have a job which fills your day with continual conversations and sounds. Silence is appealing to some.
Others can't stand silence. Something always has to be turned on and plugged in. To them silence is awkward. They'd rather fill the void with music, TV, anything than to be left with just their own thoughts.
Habakkuk 2:20 reads, "The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him."
There is a time for us to speak our mind, and to fill our mind with words and music and other influences, but we must also remember that there is a time for us to be silent. This silence recognizes the importance of God, the need to reflect before Him, seeking His wisdom and counsel.
There are times in our life when we need to spend in silence with the Lord in prayer. There are times when we need to quiet our mind and calm our heart, and listen to the words of the Lord through reading the Bible. Instead of constantly interjecting our own opinions, or filling the dead air with the words of others, be still, and seek the words of the Lord. Hear what He has to say.
Set aside some time this week in silence. Unplug from the world. Turn off all the distractions. Pick up the Bible and approach the Lord in silence - coming not to speak, but to listen.
