The Quiet Has Changed Me.


"When the mind comes into its own stillness and enters the silent land, the sense of separation goes."Martin Laird from Into The Silent Land, A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation.

I started a new book last night, Into the Silent Land.

Have you ever felt that you have been alone and God is not present? I can look back in these times of my life and know that I did all the things that I knew to do to bring back the feeling of connection on my part. The broken connection was just that, it was a feeling, that dwelt within me. But, it wasn't truth. It was a lie. God was always present within me. I just didn't feel it. Feelings are pretty dicey. We can do great things, we can do hurtful things all because of feelings. They don't always tell us the truth, and they can entice us from what is Good and Beautiful, to what feels good but will bring ruin.

Through my readings and practices, what has been so evasive or maybe just not complete, is starting to break through the fog of unknown.

God you have heard me say...
Where are you God? I am reading, serving, singing, running after You. I am so empty because I know you are there, but I can't feel you.

And where was God. He is everywhere, but more personally, He was and is in me. In all the seeking I have done at times of dryness, if I would have just stopped, been jealous for the silence and aloneness to commune with You, God. Thirty minutes a day has transformed me. Me, God, quiet. My breath is what I hear. Nothing miraculous that I can see or feel, but the miracle is what is silent within me and transforming. Devotion to my quiet time with God has lifted me to Him where He is my well-spring. His glory pours forth to my soul.

It is no wonder that so many seek, but feel they cannot find. The life of screens has taken our down time and ushered us into drowning out the voice of God that lives within us. The life of busyness, that we are addicted to, and embarrassed if we do not participate in, is turning many into empty tombs.

Father, forgive me for my busyness. I am thankful that You are so present in my silence. Within me is You. And I need you so badly. I am grateful for Your love.




Winter Snow
But You came like a winter snow, yes, You did
You were quiet, You were soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Ooh no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning
No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind
It was still, it was small, it was hidden

Oh, You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Falling, oh yeah, to the earth below
You came falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Comments

Unknown said…
Happy birthday, Dear Friend.
and thank you for the encouragement and inspiration to make quiet time happen.

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