An Hour Without Sound

Next topic for class, an hour without sound. I can hear the mom’s out there saying “bring it on!” Hey, to read for an hour without interruptions. Take a nap without being awaken. Shower without someone banging on the door needing something. Or even to potty in peace. Who doesn’t want a few minutes of silence. We would never hear the annoyances but we would never hear the blessings. The “good night mom thanks for talking” from your teenage son. “Pound cake my favorite!” “Guess what” and then the exciting news. The prayers of our children. The encouraging words coming from one child to their sibling. The piano, clarinet, or guitar (even electric turned up all the way). To not hear what we refer to as annoyances would mean we sacrifice the pleasures.

In addition to not hearing those who are dear to us, we would not hear the sounds around us. The chirping birds early in the morning singing to the Creator. What about the worship music listened to as we drive along the congested road? What about the horn or the barking dog to warn us of danger ahead? We would miss all these things and more.

However, no sound would allow us to not be distracted by all the noise around us. “Be still and know that I am God.” To be still we need to be quiet and listen. Our society is overly bombarded with noise and distractions; it is difficult to focus on only one thing, including the Father. In Mark, Jesus said “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” I know this is out of context here but bare with me. (One interpretation many applications) Is it possible that when we are quiet not only do we know that He is God but we also find rest? The Greek word for rest in this verse is anapauo which means to refresh, take ease. The same Greek word for rest is used in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Perhaps you are saying an hour is too much time and you cannot possibly have an hour without sound to sit and listen. Ok, then how about thirty minutes or even fifteen? How would we be changed and transformed into His image if we set aside fifteen minutes a day without sound to draw near to Him? Removing obstacles, whatever noise they make, to be still would prepare our hearts to hear from God Almighty, to recognize His voice, and to be refreshed.

So, how much time do you, do I, set aside to come to Him, to be still, and be refreshed? We might all have a heart adjustment if we had more time without sound to be still.