Quiet Game

Who can remember a time in school when students got rowdy and a teacher said, “Ok guys, let’s play a game!” Excitedly the kids would settle down and prepare for some fun when the teacher continued with, “It’s called … the quiet game.” Moans and groans filled the room because we weren’t naive to this ageless trick which felt like more of a prank than a game. Regardless, there is no special technique or strategy to the game, just a competition of stillness.

We live in a chaotic world and with all the busyness that consumes our life many of us can use a little quiet. But, at the same time, there is something about involuntary silence that makes us uncomfortable. We have gotten so accustomed to the necessity of noise that stillness becomes an awkward disposition. 

I see this flaw in its most heightened state during my prayer time. I find myself bringing a laundry list of requests, demands, and complaints to God without waiting in His presence to see if He has anything to offer me in exchange. And even on the days that I embrace the stillness of meditation, in less than no time, the silence is eventually filled with extraneous activities like picking lint off the floor or refolding a disheveled blanket. Before I know it, quiet time has been infiltrated by a full-blown to-do list lodged into my brain.

God wants our undivided attention, but our hectic lifestyles can thwart the transmission line. Stillness, albeit uncomfortable, is necessary. Jesus understood the importance of this sacred time and often withdrew to a quiet place to commune with the Father. If Jesus needed this intimate time with our Father, I presume we need it too.

I am guilty of filling up my silence with busyness especially during difficult seasons of waiting. I would much rather occupy my time with insignificant activities than feel the frustrations of delayed promises. In those periods of waiting, our quiet time with God can feel uncomfortable because it forces us to face our disappointments and choose to rely on God's presence for peace. But, the benefits of playing this game with God are insurmountable. In His presence, there is peace, joy, wisdom, strength, and strategy. We just have to sit there long enough to receive it.

In your wait . . . release the weight of busyness. Quiet yourself in the presence of God and give Him time to respond.

Prayer

Lord, I commit to rearranging my schedule so that I don’t forfeit my quiet time with You. Teach me how to prioritize my day, set boundaries on my time, and make You the center of my life. As I pray and meditate on Your Word, let my mind and heart be silent before You. Let Your peace calm the chaos that surrounds me daily. Let Your presence arrest me as I immerse myself in Your love. Amen.