Finding Quiet In A World Of Noise

You are my place of quiet retreat. I wait for Your Word to renew me.

Psalm 119:114

 

Let me give you a thought: "The key to a stronger, healthier imagination is a daily quiet time."

 

It's not easy to find quiet in this world of noise and activity.  There's always something going on demanding our attention, demanding our time, demanding our energy, demanding our focus, with no chance to step away and recharge.  It seems as if we are always in a hurry.  We are always filling our time with activities.  It's as if we are deliberately trying to avoid being still and quiet.  It's as if we are fearful of recharging, resting, and listening to God's still, quiet voice.

 

In Matthew 6:6, Jesus said, "When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you."  In fact, Jesus often spent time alone to rest, recharge, and pray.  Who are we to claim we have no time for that?

 

I am an Introvert and, as such, I NEED time to be quiet so I can recharge. But PTSI makes me fearful of trying to be quiet because I don't want to hear and see what my mind and heart won't let go of.  Yet I know I need to do it.  And I have learned, from people wiser than I, to let the images and voices come.  As they come, give each and every one to God.  This has been a tremendous help.  But I also want to hear from God, so I always take a notebook with me to my Quiet Place to write my prayers as well as anything God brings to mind.  And, to be completely honest, I have sensed a marked improvement in my life. 

 

I try to take time every single day.  I put it on my calendar and keep it as I would a counseling appointment with a Deputy.  In doing this, God is rewarding the time by energizing me and helping me cope.  I urge you to have a daily time of quiet reflection.  Take the time to recharge, relax and listen to God.  In finding quiet in a world of noise, our lives will be improved. 

What Do You Mean I'm A 'Captive'?

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

~Jeremiah 29:11-14 

 

We like to quote verse 11 of today's passage where God tells us that He has incredible plans for us that will be good for us and bring us hope.  But we don't usually bother to read beyond that because, after all, we cling to the promise and are content to wait for God to rain down His blessings on us.  But read the rest of the passage!

 

God does have plans for us that will be good for us and will bring hope for us, but He also ways WHEN YOU PRAY, I will listen.  When was the last time you and God had a heart to heart chat?  Did you do all the talking?  THEN God says, "IF you look for me WHOLEHEARTEDLY, you will find me."  Before you ask, NO God is not hiding from us.  Let me put it this way, if I am wearing my sunglasses I cannot read my radio display even though I am looking directly at it and it is less than a foot away.  Why, because my sunglasses filter out the color of my display.  The same applies to us when we "look" for God and can't find him...we casually look expecting to see the bright light and mighty powerful warrior ready to smite those who have hurt our feelings.  But we don't see that God has sent someone to help us who is rather ordinary, because we are not looking for ordinary, we are looking for nuclear fireworks!

 

God promises that if we seek Him will all our attention and desire, we will find Him AND He will end our captivity.  WHAT? Captivity here in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?  Yup! We are captive to our STUFF!  We are captive to our CAREERS!  We are captive to our BANK ACCOUNTS!  We are captive to our SPORTS!  We are captives because we find so many things (which will eventually end) to hold our attention rather than God!  How many people do you know who can quote the latest stock trends but can't remember a single verse of Scripture?  How many people do you know who will faithfully attend every single football game and have had season tickets for generations, but "don't have time" to talk with God about their marriage falling apart or their children who have gone wild for lack of parenting?  WE ARE CAPTIVES!!  We are held captive by our own desires!!!

 

A gilded cage is still a prison!