The Power in Silence and SolitudeSample

THE ILLUSION OF BUSYNESS

Do we hide behind busyness to escape the quiet? Does a busy life make us feel more accepted and important or overwhelmed and exhausted? Do we fall into the trap of being constantly on the go? Does your life tend toward a constant flurry of incessant activity? As we have mentioned, the term “rat race” is commonly associated with demanding, exhausting, or repetitive lifestyle choices that leave us no time for relaxation, introspection, or enjoyment. Living with too much busyness will exhaust the best of us and take us away from the sweetest center of God’s will for our lives. Those who neglect the secret place of quiet, silence, and solitude seem to struggle more with the stress and demands of their life.

Every one of us, without exception, needs to find a place to be refreshed by rest. Psalm 91:1 reminds us, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”I love the idea of dwelling in a place of rest. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. We Christians can represent some of the most worn out, busy, exhausted people on the planet. The voices of this world seduce us into sleepwalking through the cacophony of chaos, pulling us into its grip. We must plan intentional breaks from this world’s noise to find a place of quietness and stillness in His presence so that we can listen to His voice alone. He longs to reveal Himself to us and to teach us (Psalm 32:8). This happens when we spend time with Him. He can multiply our investment of time, and we can accomplish more in less time. As we align ourselves with His perspective, we can more clearly sort out what is important and what is not. Therefore, spending time in His presence does not diminish our productivity. Instead, it becomes the wellspring from which we can live in Spirit-empowered productivity, effectiveness, and fruitfulness.

Do you live under the illusion that busyness equals importance? Are you afraid to slow down? We’re such a busy society. Most of us live a life where busyness is king, and productivity feels profitable. Our schedules are filled to the brim from sun up until sundown.

Turn down the noises of this world. SLOW DOWN to hear the voice of God. He is always speaking…Be still as it might be a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).