And Now For Something Completely Different...

Well as I was saying just the other day that it is so wonderful to have stuff always flying through your head, such as songs, videos, books, and other stuff.... well I think that I'd like to recant that. I would say that at times it helps productivity to be immersed in some funky fresh techno that allows your brain to process whatever silly homework assignment that you have to do, (such as mind numbing data analysis with Excel, and some technical paper stuff). After a weekend of busyness and fun-filled times to the max (such as a graduation that takes place during my normal church worship service), I have found out that I miss the silence. Actually I find that all too often I am scared of the silence. Let me explain a lil. I find that all too often myself (and presumably most of the entire World) is caught up in time. We, middle class Americans, rush from one activity to the next with nary a dull or quiet moment between. We have radios for the ride to work, IPods from the car to the job (and possibly longer) and playing a game of solitare on a different window while we work (well not me, I don't like the game). We get back home and turn the TV and let a constant stream of noise into our heads. If we don't get enough noise we start talking to friends on our cells or IM's. And if we don't get enough of others thoughts we drown out our thoughts in our sports, or other leisure activities. As long as we don't have to face the silence we are happy. Or are we. This morning I had realized how little silence I allow into my day. I was running late but realized that I hadn't given Jesus any time to really talk to me in the past couple days. So I gave him five minutes. I rationalized that 5 min. was entirely way too long to sit and listen with all the stuff that I had to get done. Normally when I try to sit and listen I get frustrated because I never think I hear something. Well by God's grace, today was different. As soon as I quieted down I heard a million things. And wonder of wonders, the five minutes was over in no time. But I had heard from God, and it was good. I think my problem is that all too often I have a wrong view of God. I assume that as soon as I become silent he will point out all my faults and screw ups. So I continue to screw up and live without him for the sake of not having to hear about how I screw up. But whenever, and I mean whenever I start to actually listen to him I only hear love. He assures me that I am not the worst person ever, (even if I tell myself I am.) He speaks wisdom on what I need to get done. He tells me who I am (seated in Heaven at Christs side, free from sin, a slave to him, etc). IT's always good news, even when he gently rebukes me. Why am I scared of Silence. What on Earth is there to be afraid of when the silence is always going to begin speaking to me and telling me how much my Savior loves me. We were built for silence and rest. God made 1/7 of our days about rest. Then he made rest even more a part of our lives. We are geared so that we have to rest each day and sleep 1/3-1/5 of the day. On top of that (as my friend JVD pointed out) we have all of these annoying habits that get in the way of our high efficiency workdays. Things like eating, or using the restroom. These are all things that are a part of our physical bodies. Its almost like God is saying, "hey, slow down, listen to the silence. I am waiting..." In fact He probably is saying that to you. Let our prayers be that we don't forget our first love for any hour of the day. Let your breakfast, lunch, dinner, sleep, potty breaks remind you to listen to God. He won't be silent once you become silent. "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted among the earth." Psalm 46:10