At the end of another busy day, I find myself straining to hear the breathtaking sound of silence. A craving inside me to curl up in quietness and wrap myself in the absence of noise. To go to that place where even a whisper shatters the fragile glass of that soundless sanctuary.
Because (as my lack of writing would indicate) the past two weeks have been filled with plenty of noise. The vast majority of it has been good noise. Healthy, satisfying, joyful and even tank-filling noise. The glorious sounds of family and friends who have been visiting from out of town. Those rich conversations and deep laughs that only happen with people you truly care about. The same people that you could just as easily cry with in the next breath. My very favorite noises in the world. The beautiful sounds of love and connection and understanding that bring with them peace and hope and contentment.
But there have been other sounds as well these past couple of weeks. The sounds of people’s hearts breaking and lives in shambles. People who have shared immense pain and intense circumstances. Those are the sounds that weigh heavy and tear at my heart. Because they are noises that come from the soul. Groans and cries and emotions that go beyond mere words. Spiritual battle marked with spiritual pain. These sounds grip me, body, mind, spirit and soul. And there is no possible way keep these stories from replaying in my head, even if I wanted to. They are too important and cannot, should not, will not be ignored.
And somehow the mix of the sounds, both good and “bad”, have stirred in me an even greater awareness that God is at work at what is seeming like a frenetic pace. Miracles performed in the same room with miracles yet to be seen. Things that God has done that are impossible to explain alongside the seemingly insurmountable “obstacles” that await the evidence of God’s power to overthrow. The music of prayers answered, eye to eye with the wail of a shattered heart. One giving hope to the other.
But for now, if only for a moment, silence. To reflect and pray and consider. To sort through and process the glory of miracles witnessed and the wonder of watching and waiting for those yet to come. In the quiet I can hear that still, small Voice that tells me, “This is only the beginning. There is so much more to come.” This silent nano-second in the scheme of eternity. So brief but so important. Undistracted. Listening. Relaxed anticipation.
Tomorrow the noise will begin again. A plane will take me to more wonderful sounds of people and activities and good, good things. It might even start with the person sitting next to me on the flight.
All the more reason to savor this luscious flavor of silence. Let me bask in it, Jesus, just a few more moments before sleep takes me into the next busy, noisy, amazing day…
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalm 23:2-3 – He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;
Psalm 37:7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…
