Be Quiet

I am not the best with silence. Real talk: I'm often really bad at it. I've been called everything from friendly to gregarious to just plain chatty. There are 2 times when I'm good at being quiet: when I feel very intimidated by some new people I'm meeting or when I'm with someone I feel completely comfortable with and know very well.  While I love interesting and thought provoking conversations, sometimes in the craziness of my schedule, I get overwhelmed by the things around me - the things I need to do, people I need to touch base with, thoughts swirling around in my head - it can be a lot! One thing that I constantly struggle with is turning off my cellphone and my email, turning down my thoughts, and spending some quiet, quality time before the Lord. I really like what Psalm 62 says about this topic:

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bells with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God 

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. 

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up; they are altogether lighter than a breath.

Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery;

If riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 

One God has spoken; twice I have heard this:

that power belongs to God, and that to you O, Lord, belongs steadfast love. 

For you will render a man according to his work.

A few thoughts:

-We can wait in silence before the Lord because we know He is our rock,  our fortress, our salvation, our glory, and our hope. How many times are we not able to be quiet because we are worried about our security or our personal glory and worth or our future? We are able to be silent before the Lord because He provides the answers to all of those worries and questions for us.

-Waiting in silence means trusting in the Lord, and pouring out all of our concerns to a place where we can listen.

-Waiting in silence requires seeing our worldly concerns from God's perspective. To be quiet before the Lord, we have to realize the true value of man (a breath), as well as earthly riches and pursuits. 

-Waiting in silences helps us to see the Lord's power and love.

My challenge for you in to find some good really REALLY quiet time before the Lord. Lay out all of your concerns and worries and just listen.