8.22.2006

Silence, Stillness, Solitude

My life is lacking all three in some way. Last week there was a lot of solitude, but not the kind that is good for the soul, it was instead the kind that was rough and tiring because I was alone and busy. I had to do the devotion at work this morning, and did it on this passage (and what surrounds it). It's over 3 and 1/2 pages in the book, so I'll just give you part of it.

"Silence is not simply the absence of noise or the shutdown of communication with the outside world, but rather a process of coming to stillness. Silent solitude forges true speech. I'm not speaking of physical isolation; solitude here means being alone with the Alone, experiencing the transcendent Other and growing in awareness of one's identity as the beloved. It is impossible to know another person intimately without spending time together. Silence makes solitude a reality...

...Silent solitude makes true speech possible and personal. If I am not in touch with my own belovedness, then I cannot touch the sacredness of others. Experience has taught me that I connect best with other when I connect with the core of myself. When I allows God to liberate me from unhealthy dependence on people, I listen more attentively, love more unselfishly, and am more compassionate and playful. I take myself less seriously, become aware that the breath of the Father is on my face and my countenance is bright with laughter in the midst of an adventure I thoroughly enjoy...

...Conscientiously 'wasting' time with God enables me to speak and act from greater strength, to forgive rather than nurse the latest bruise to my wounded ego, to be capable of magnanimity during the petty moments of life. In empowers me to lose myself, at least temporarily, against a greater background that the tableau of my fears and insecurities, to merely be still and know that God is God."

-Brennan Manning, Abba's Child

Psalm 46:10 has always been one of my favorite Bible verses. My devotion focused on the fact that I'm pretty good at the "and know that I am God" part of the verse. That stillness thing, on the other hand, needs a lot of work. It is only when we are still and silent before God that we really allow Him to work in our lives. I know that Satan has had a small part in keeping me busy and so focused on the millions of things that I need to do that I haven't been able to be still and silent with God. Instead, I have spent the last several weeks running around like a mad woman, and have ended up tired, withdrawn, short-tempered, and exhausted. It's high time I slowed down and took a deep breath and just enjoyed the presence of God.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous11:36 AM

    Congratulations on the weight loss! Less than two months to go. That's got to feel great. Enjoy this time. It only happens once. I miss my wedding sometimes:)
    ~Aubrey

    ReplyDelete