Silence Is Still Golden — Morning Devotions

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But what can you do about it? In our ever noisy world of background music or on-demand shows and podcasts, many of us don’t experience a good deal of quiet, and according to scientific evidence, that’s not such a great thing for our health. The experts and researchers in studies alike confirm that especially in our loud world, time spent in silence can bring numerous health benefits. Have you ever wondered, for example, why exams are conducted in silence without music blaring in the background? Students need stillness to focus. I’m sure we all understand that.

Silence for our own good

I was thinking again of the French mathematician and philosopher Blasey Pascal, who wrote in the 1600s that all of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone. He was referring into our habit of always being busy, not taking time to be quiet and enjoy the silence. We seem to prefer to be busy. We don’t have to stop and be quiet, but Pascal, I think, was correct. We have a deep restlessness and reluctance to appreciate the silent moments. It seems that many of us can’t switch off from that constant buzz of distraction.

The mobile phone, one example. So many of us fill out time reading texts, watching social media in order to fill our minds with stuff. We are now more connected to one another around the world than at any other time in history. Sadly, for many people, their whole lives are a distraction of noise and things, not making time for some silence. Is it because we’re afraid of thinking for ourselves in the silence? Have we become addicted to noise? Everyone should take regular time and space for the journey inward. Solitude is the furnace of transformation. Without solitude, we’ve remained victims of our society.

And we continue to be entangled in the illusions of the false self in the silence. What do you hear? What are you reminded of? What thoughts flood in? Do you have the courage to listen to what you hear? Can you sit alone for half an hour and just think? This simple task is a life skill, I think that’s very important.

We fear boredom, so we choose endless distraction. We fear the silence of merely existing, so we convince ourselves that our obligations are too important for us to withdraw and refresh ourselves in solitude. But we are humans. We’re not machines. We were created to experience rhythms of noise and quiet community and solitude. Your purpose is too important not to practise solitude. Does Pascal’s wisdom apply to us today? Yes, more than ever. Look at our lives. We’re constantly keeping ourselves occupied now more than ever with our gadgets. The world tells us that more is better. We’re never content, always aspiring for more. But consider the words of Jesus, as he spoke to his close friends one day, recorded in the Gospel of Mark chapter 6.

Jesus said, Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while. Yes, that was said over 2000 years ago, but there is a message for us today. Jesus acknowledges the physical and spiritual need for rest in our busy lives. We must prioritise time to recharge and connect with Him. Solitude is not just being alone, it’s being alone with God. It’s a time for reflection, prayer, and renewal. Can you step aside from your busy life and allow God to speak to you in the quietness of, say, 30 minutes each day? It’s quite a challenge, but the rewards will soon become obvious to yourself and others, and your life will be enriched. Meditate on the words, for example, of Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God.

Let’s Pray

Yes, Lord, it is true that silence is still golden. Down through the years, many people have discovered what we know to be true, that it’s good to just sit and allow ourselves to be in the presence of God. Help those of us who are impulsive or have a need to always be running here and there. May we allow you to catch up with us and to speak into our busy lives. Amen.

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