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SEEKING SILENCE

Have you ever noticed how quiet and slow the world becomes after a heavy snow? Snow is nature’s mute button. Thick blankets of white powder wrap the world like a soundproofed studio decked out in foamy acoustic paneling. The noise of the world is brought to a hush. And if we let it, snow can teach us to slow down and to be still.

We all know that one of our society’s main addictions is noise. Thankfully, I believe the practice of silence, both visual and audible, can help break the cycle of addiction. It just takes intentionality and practice.

There is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Each of the Gospel writers made sure we know that Jesus often withdrew to isolated, quiet places to pray (Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; John 6:15). We need to remember that there are times to cease striving and to absorb the truth of Exodus 14:14: “You need only to be still.”

I think of all the quiet beauty we miss out on and never hear because of the lack of silence in our lives. Silence is a gift. It invites us to lean in, listen, and attune our ears to the world around us.

Learning to quiet the mind is an act of loving-kindness toward yourself. And when we show kindness to ourselves, we are better able to show kindness to others and to love God and the world around us more deeply.

Silence is where we can find our sanity again. Stillness is where we can find rest. The more we do this, the less turbulent our souls will become—like a hushed snowy or frozen landscape.

Today the Creator invites you and me, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Take at least five minutes to spend in complete silence. For best results, seek out a location in nature or in a room that lends itself to quietness. Finish by listening to a beautiful piece of music that you aren’t used to hearing.