Standing In Silence
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By Pat
One of my favorite old hymns is called "In the Garden," and there is a line in it that I particularly love that says "He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing." When I think of that line, I can actually envision Jesus stepping into a clearing in a beautiful forest, and the birds stopping their songs, in awe of their Lord.
What a lovely and serene picture that is. Why can't I be more like those birds? Why do I allow the disruptions in my life to distract me from the silence I need to simply stand in silent, reverent awe of my Lord? Random thoughts enter my head. Background noises distract me and turn my attention away from God. Sometimes I just can't concentrate, even though I know that Jesus stands before me whether I can see Him or not. And so, I am learning, or at least trying to learn, to focus more fully on the Lord, and simply stop. Stop thinking, stop moving, stop singing. Just stop and be like the worshipful birds I have pictured in my head being still for Jesus. After all, God said "Be STILL and know that I am God!" (Psalm 46:10)
Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.
Reader Comments (2)
That was my Momma's favorite, too. She loved to hear Ernie Ford sing it.
Good reminder...it's difficult for most people to be "still", especially people who tend to keep busy, often doing the very things that God has called them to do...I think of Mary and Martha and how Jesus made it clear that while "work" is a good thing, it's not the BEST thing...at least not when there is an opportunity to sit at the feet of the Master, the very creator of our universe, and the ONLY person who can give us the "perfect" help we need....I'm even reminded of the thief on the cross next to Jesus who was complaining that Jesus wasn't doing anything to "help"....could he have BEEN more wrong??? Here he's RIGHT next to the ONLY person that CAN help him, especially considering his life is about to end, and he completely misses out...perhaps the most ironic disaster in Scripture....if that man would have been "still" in his spirit, maybe he would have been able to "know" who Jesus really is...
I need to take more time to be quiet before God and "listen" to his "still, small, voice"...