Noises abound in our society. Some we cannot block out like barking dogs, chirping crickets, a whirring helicopter, elevator music, or a crying baby. Then there are noises we choose to let into our lives like television or radio. Many of us can’t even get to sleep without some sort of “white noise” from a sound machine or a buzzing fan. Silence does not seem to be a valued commodity today. Yet scriptures tell us there is a time for silence (Ecclesiastes 1:7).
Perhaps one of those times is when we approach God. While it’s true we should pour our hearts out to God and let him know how we feel, sometimes we are so busy telling God what we want or think, we don’t listen to what he’s trying to tell us. Habakkuk 2:20 says, “The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth be silent before him.” In other words there are times to approach God reverently and be silent so you can hear what he has to say (Zephaniah 1:7). It is through silent communion with God that we can get to know him better. “Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).”
I love this Mother Teresa quote: Silence is God’s first language. Everything else is a bad translation.” There may be some truth in that.
I’m also reminded of a line from the T.S. Elliot poem Ash Wednesday: “Where shall the word be found; when will the word resound? Not here. There is not enough silence.”
In order to experience silence we might need to get away from the noises and stresses of life so we can spend some alone time with God. Many of us may not be able to spend a weekend at what they call Silence Retreats where people go to draw closer to God and commit to not speaking to anyone. Many of us may not even be able to rise early and find a silent environment to pray like Jesus did (Mark 1:35-38). However, we can all find what I like to call snippets of time to be still and be silent – one minute, two, three, four, or five. Just five minutes to be still with God will help us know him better.
Our lives overflow with the sounds of everyday life. Yet it’s in silence where we may often hear the whisper of God’s voice.
