Be Still

Be Still

 

A few years ago my husband and I went to Las Vegas for a conference. The conference was very good. It was about money and the economy, the topic is almost a hobby for my husband (that’s a whole other issue!).

In spite of how good the conference was after two days I was ready to go crazy. I could not find a peaceful place outside of the hotel room. When we walked into the hallway or the elevator there was music pumped in. To go anywhere for the conference we had to walk through the casino, which had constant noise and flashing lights, way to much stimulation for my normally quiet life!

One day, in between sessions I told my husband I was going to get a good book and go sit by the pool for some peace of mind. When I got out there at 11 am there was a rock band playing! No peace there!

Since that trip we have had several conversations about quiet. Silence lets us think, something I am sure no one in the casinos wants us to do when we’re there. It’s one way to keep people from thinking about money and time until they get on the plane to go home.

Many people experience this over-stimulation in their own homes. Television, video games, radio, computer websites, CDs and DVDs give us a constant supply of background noise and visual stimulation if we want it. Many do seem to want it.

God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Without some time to contemplate the things of the Lord, without some silence to hear from Him, and without some downtime to be in His word we will not know that He is God

I’m not saying that we should never have our radios on or watch TV. What I am saying is that if there is never any quiet in our homes there will probably be very little quiet in our hearts and souls.

I guess I am trying to warn myself and others that no silence means that we may not know God. He wants us to listen, to be still, and to hear from Him.

Proverbs 19:27 says, “Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” How will we ever hear God’s instructions if there is so much noise and visual stimulation that we can’t concentrate?

If anyone has an ear, let him hear, Revelation 13:9.