Silence of the soul
When I saw an email about a new thing called “Silent Walking,” I had to read it, since it was about two of my favourite things, silence, and walking. It turns out it was nothing new – the author had simply discovered (news flash) that a person can enjoy a walk with no music, podcast, or audiobook. It really is true that everything old is new again. Who knew a quiet walk might be just what those of us addicted to mobile devices and noise really need?
But distractions and trouble focusing are nothing new. Over three hundred years ago, Blaise Pascal observed, “All of the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber” 1. God actually had something to say about this even earlier than Pascal. He inspired Isaiah to write: ‘…thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”…’ (Isaiah 30:15 ESV).
Being quiet can be accomplished by turning off all the noise, but then what happens? We get restless, uncomfortable with the silence, and don’t know what to do with ourselves. Biblical quietness, according to Clinton Manley, is more than a lack of noise. It goes much deeper, referring “primarily to a quiet demeanor or quiet heart – a restful silence of soul.” He says this happens when we develop “the habit of quiet” and cultivate “inner quietness by creating rhythms of outer quietness.” 2
Taking a silent walk is a good place to start, but creating those rhythms of outer quietness to get to a quiet heart takes a little more work. We have to consciously set aside time without devices and distractions, maybe just a few minutes at first, and work up to longer times. It will be worth it as those times of silence and solitude will take us deeper and become more precious. With practice, we can eventually learn to have the weaned and quieted soul of Psalm 131:2.
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 12 September 2023, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
1 Blaise Pascal Pensées, 39.
2 https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/are-you-ever-quiet
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA, Grace Communion International congregation. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
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