Our world is obsessed with noise.
It’s everywhere. Phones going off, small conversations that are happening because we’ve been taught that silence between two people next to each other is awkward, light fixtures, fans, and other various environmental noises. I’m even listening to music as I write this. We have such a difficult time simply being still without receiving any input from outside sources. Our world is loud.
In producing constant noise, we are going against God’s command to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10). We say prayers that are full of words that we think will get God’s attention. Modern worship services feature full live bands and upbeat songs. In trying to make God hear us, we are losing the ability to hear Him. We are drowning Him out.
Of course this does not make God love us any less—nothing could ever do that—but when He speaks to us, it’s not often with a loud, booming voice from the sky.
It is the warmth you feel when you are studying the Bible in the morning accompanied by gentle bird songs, and a certain verse appears to be written specifically for your life at that moment.
It is the calm that rushes over you as you sit on the floor of your room, heartbroken and shaking with tears, wondering why God has given you this trial.
It is the love you feel when you pray with a group of people whom you love dearly and have supported you through everything.
It is the gratitude you experience when you can barely pay the rent, and the cashier at the window tells you that your meal was paid for by the person ahead of you in line at the drive thru.
Take time to listen, and to be still and know that He is God.
It’s everywhere. Phones going off, small conversations that are happening because we’ve been taught that silence between two people next to each other is awkward, light fixtures, fans, and other various environmental noises. I’m even listening to music as I write this. We have such a difficult time simply being still without receiving any input from outside sources. Our world is loud.
In producing constant noise, we are going against God’s command to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10). We say prayers that are full of words that we think will get God’s attention. Modern worship services feature full live bands and upbeat songs. In trying to make God hear us, we are losing the ability to hear Him. We are drowning Him out.
Of course this does not make God love us any less—nothing could ever do that—but when He speaks to us, it’s not often with a loud, booming voice from the sky.
It is the warmth you feel when you are studying the Bible in the morning accompanied by gentle bird songs, and a certain verse appears to be written specifically for your life at that moment.
It is the calm that rushes over you as you sit on the floor of your room, heartbroken and shaking with tears, wondering why God has given you this trial.
It is the love you feel when you pray with a group of people whom you love dearly and have supported you through everything.
It is the gratitude you experience when you can barely pay the rent, and the cashier at the window tells you that your meal was paid for by the person ahead of you in line at the drive thru.
Take time to listen, and to be still and know that He is God.