Have you ever seen one of those movies in which the sports star (usually a pitcher) hears the noisy roar of the crowd as it echoes across the stadium? He glances around the crowd, the noise growing at every turn. But then he shifts his focus. He takes a breath, slow and deep. Suddenly it all goes quiet and still. The stillness seems to be centered within the pitcher. The crowd fades into the background. All you see is the pitcher. You know his purpose. So does he. He aims for the target. The ball leaves his hand and slams into the catcher’s mitt. Success.
It’s pretty noisy out there right now. CNN, HLN, Fox, PBS, HLN, BBC, FaceBook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Tumblr, Reddit…the list goes on and on. News, fake news, social media, politicians, and sofa politicians-all making grabs for our attention, adding their voices to the noise. Why, we can’t even sit in our homes without hearing the automatic ice-maker drop the next round of ice, the washing machine clinking as it searches and weighs for just the right amount of water to pour out upon the clothes, or the dishwasher sloshing water in its tiny cubicle.
All the noise of a messy and desperate world fill the airwaves like fingernails sliding down a chalkboard. In an effort to “keep the public informed” they feed on the fear of their followers.
It is so noisy!
But hey, we live in a noisy world. People yell and scream as if to say, “Look at me. Look at me!” All this noise imposes upon the stability of our nations’ minds!
The truth is “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence.” Mother Theresa
I am a lover of silence. You may say I’m crazy, but the silence in the restroom is golden. However, silence alone is not the answer. One of my favorite poets, Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah, provided the people of Israel with the answer.
Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Come back to me! By returning and resting in me you will be saved. In quietness and trust you will be made strong.
Isaiah 30:15
This quietness is not worthless silence prohibiting words. It is an undisturbed calm, a peace that passes all understanding. It holds a quiet attitude producing a mighty courage held in absolute trust and confidence in God’s ability to be what He is-the King of Kings and Lord of Lords-the God who holds you in his mighty hands when the chaos of the world swarms around you.
When we put aside the noise, take a breath, and allow the stillness of God to be centered within us, our focus shifts. Our purpose becomes clear. We can see the target and get to work doing what He has for us to do.
We return to Him as we withdraw WITH HIM.
He says, “Come away with me.“
Jesus, knowing the work of his purpose was before him, withdrew to the wilderness to fast and pray. He was undisturbed, calm, and full of peace. According to Luke 5:16 this was a common practice for Jesus. The noise babbled on, but Jesus was still. Then he went back out to the pitchers mound and threw the ball, striking the enemy out every single time!
What about you? Are you feeling disconcerted, discombobulated, disturbed?
Take a moment to be quiet and still before Him. Withdraw into His presence. That, my friend, is where your strength is.
Scriptures to Consider:
- Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or fainthearted…Isaiah 7:4
- If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.” Isaiah 7:9
- Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4
- You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
- And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Jamie Lyn's Inkwell 