Quiet time

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).

We live in a culture that likes noise. Young people walk around with ipods plugged into their ears. Most stores and many businesses play music softly over the speaker system. Drivers have favorite stations programmed into their car radios. In most homes the television is on all day. Even people who work in the yard often hang wind chimes to tinkle in the breeze.

I wonder if there’s a drawback to all the constant noise. I don’t mean damage to the ears, although that can sometimes be a risk. I’m talking about the need our souls have for regular periods of quiet. So much of the time, life is a constant rush from one thing to another. We don’t make plans so much as we respond to one crisis after another. Many people have trouble getting to sleep at night because of the mental overload; sometimes they respond by using sleep medication.

The mind is a marvelous thing—no computer can even begin to approach what the human brain can do. But it does need regular downtime to maintain peak performance. Sleep is part of the solution—but it is not the entire answer.

We need time to slow down and reflect on things. We need time to put events into perspective so we can make plans for the future. And most of all, we need quiet time so we can communicate with God.

God speaks to us through His word, but when life is hectic, it’s hard to concentrate on worship or make time for Bible study. God nudges us in the right direction, but we don’t notice His attempts at guidance when we are bouncing from one thing to another like a Ping-Pong ball. God is always listening for our prayers, but who can pray when surrounded by constant noise?

It’s important to schedule a break for yourself every day. Go someplace private where you can shut out the noise and hear yourself think. Talk to God in prayer; open yourself to His word. Make ‘quiet time’ an important part of your routine--your life will be the better for it.