For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling- Isaiah 30:15
The world can be loud. What was supposed to be the advancements in communication has also created a world where we are constantly bombarded by messages such as texts, notifications, emails, advertisements, phone calls, social media, and more. We are increasingly trained to crave constant distraction and entertainment. I will admit that I lose hours in a week watching videos online, streaming shows, scrolling through social media posts, watching reels and reading articles suggested for me by the internet without thought. When I am driving or doing work, I like to have constant music on. My walks are accompanied by playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks. My work days are filled with meetings online and in person, which are often constant discussions and communication. Sometimes, we are eager to wait for our turn to talk, instead of listening.
To be fair, there is nothing wrong with communication as communication is a useful and daily necessity. Yet somewhere along the way, many of us have lost the ability to be still, and sit in the quiet. I value quiet time with Christ, in scripture, prayer and worship, but somehow never seem to prioritize this soul replenishing ritual adequately.
When I do, however, is when I can feel centred. This quietness is necessary to train myself to be atone to what God is calling me to do, and be in His presence. Consequently, when I find my quiet time, I also tend to find a means to lead a more quiet life and something calming and peaceful will exude from my being. Those around me can feel the difference and are also rejuvenated by this quietness.
In a culture where things can be chaotic and noisy, be the quiet and peace that will ground yourself and others. Let the spirit work in you in quietness and there you shall find your strength.
Reflection: Nothing can substitute the quiet time you spend with God, prayer, and scripture. Carve out time this week to spend dedicated time away from distraction to read a bible passage, pray and spend time listening to what God has to say to you.
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Enjoy moments of peace and focus in your worship this week through contemplation of the Word. This week's devotional, entitled Quiet, will encourage believers to listen to God and to find stillness in Him. Along with studies on bible verses, explore praise and worship music through various gospel, hymn, and worship music channels on Christian Calm Radio.