The world is too noisy. I’ve been feeling this way lately.
Everything feels loud: my iPhone, my journalism classes consistently talking about the news, and my Facebook feed filled with politics. I’m tired of trying to keep up.
I want the opposite of noise. I want quiet.
This year, I’ve been researching spiritual habits, or you might know them as spiritual disciplines, or in less fancy terms, ways of becoming more like Jesus. I’ve been reading books and listening to podcasts.
Spiritual habits look like a variety of different things – reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, being with community, practicing a day of rest or Sabbath, fasting for a period of time, memorizing Scripture, and silence and solitude.
The last one, silence and solitude, is the one I specifically decided to work on. I hadn’t heard of it before. It turns out, particularly for a very verbal person, being silent on your own in a room is not the easiest experience.
The idea of silence and solitude, or at least the way I have interpreted it, is that you come before the Father and rest in the presence of God.
It sounded like peace to me. If the opposite of noise is quiet, then being silent in the presence of Jesus was exactly what I wanted.
So I sat on my bed, and I set a timer for 10 minutes. In the beginning, I just breathed. I inhaled for four seconds, and I exhaled for four seconds. Then slowly, once my body started to relax, I started quietly whispering, “I am in the presence of the Holy God. I am a beloved daughter in the presence of Jesus. I am loved and I am in the presence of the Father.” And I would repeat this, over and over and over again.
The first few days I did this were fantastic. I would read a chapter in Matthew and then a Psalm, and then I would practice silence and solitude for 10 minutes. An overwhelming, indescribable sort of peace washed over me. But then, over time, emotions started coming too.
When you spend time with God, He starts to reveal feelings to you that you didn’t quite recognize before. Those are hard to sort through. I’m still working on it.
After emotion came distraction. I would be focusing on being in God’s presence and then find myself wondering what I was going to eat for lunch. (I’m working on having grace for myself.)
For my whole life, whenever I have a big, life-changing decision, or even a small, tiny one, I have wanted God to tell me clearly what He wanted me to do. I didn’t care what He would tell me – if He would just give me a clear sign, I would do anything. What career did he want me to have? Who did He want me to marry? What things did He want me to accomplish?
I often said to him, “If you would just tell me clearly, preferably in a loud voice, what you want me to do, I’ll do it.”
Elijah, a prophet in the Bible, was spoken to by God many times. He had seen phenomenal things. At one point, after Elijah had experienced the pinnacle of his career, he decided he was finished. He was exhausted. The world was too much. He didn’t want to do it anymore. (Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve felt this way before, too.)
But God, of course, wasn’t finished with Elijah yet.
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 King 19: 11-13)
God was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. Instead, He was in the quiet.
I get caught up in the idea of wanting God to show me something big. And don’t get me wrong; God can do huge, remarkable things. But recently He’s been teaching me to meet Him in the quiet, to come before Him, silent and stripped down. No accolades, no accomplishments, no aspirations. Just me.
When the world is noisy and feels like it’s emptying us, God meets us in the quiet and slowly fills us back up.
I asked myself a hard question the other day: if I never did the things I wanted to do, who would I be? If I never get my book published, or get on the New York Times Best Sellers books list, or any of the other extreme dreams I have in mind, who will I be?
In the quiet, when I meet with God, He tells me who I am, not who I should be.
I am loved, and I am beloved. I am cherished, and whole, and delighted in. This is who He says I am – not through wind, or fire, or an earthquake, but in a still, small whisper, calling me loved.
For you, too. If the world is too noisy and you need some quiet, sit in the presence of God and ask Him to show you who you are, not who you should be. I’ll give you a hint: you are loved, and cherished, and treasured, and whole.
The world may be noisy, but we know a God who will meet us in the stillness…
…quietly sealing our identity.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Aliza,
Any time I read your posts, I always think WOW! she gets it and at such a young age. The wisdom God is revealing to you (and you are humble enough to take in) is truly beyond your years. People, including myself, take years, even decades to come to some of the realizations you are seeing with such youthful eyes. You are, indeed, blessed! Your generation needs someone like you speaking to their noise-infested souls. I know I probably sound like a crotchety old woman, but when I see young people glued to their phones and the latest peace of technology and searching for their meaning in life in ridiculous ways, I wish I could instantaneously pull all the technopieces out of peoples hands and say, “Be still”. The answers to life’s questions are not in the loud political rants and demonstrations, they are in the still, quiet whispers from the Lord to the depths of our soul. The older I get, the more I find that I like quiet. I rarely have the t.v. on. I often mute my phone so I’m not distracted by it’s myriad of noises. I go for walks out in God’s creation (leaving said cell phone behind) and just talk to him and I try to walk quietly and listen for what He would say to me. Sometimes God doesn’t speak in MY intentional silence, but I find that the more I envelope myself in quiet the more opportunity He has to break through the distraction and capture my attention with His unfathomable love. You’re on the right track girl…keep following God’s leading. You are an inspiration!
Blessings,
Bev xx
ps. Sorry about the rambling on (speaking of silence lol)
Terri Kyle says
God just gave me my answer to a huge decision… through you! God is good, all the time. Be blessed.
Mia F says
Same here, Terri Kyle! Same here. And soo.. a Big “T.Y.” to You, Aliza! TY for this. And for me, the Reminder that I so needed, and.. especially at this time. I will be going into my Quiet where I know Jesus will be waiting.. where I will ‘hear’ Him the loudest.
Penny says
Bev,
I agree with you. Coincidentally I have a sign I made on a piece of driftwood that says, “Be Still” on my patio. It’s amazing the effect just seeing those two little words can have.
Have a blessed day,
Penny
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Penny,
Love this….I have a bracelet I wear often with Be still and know that I am God. Never hurts to have visible reminders 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Aliza Latta says
I feel that way often as well, Bev. I even purchased a real life alarm clock the other day so I wouldn’t be touching my iPhone first thing in the morning. Isn’t that funny?
I love how you go on walks to talk to God. So beautiful. Thanks for your consistent encouragement, Bev. It does not go by unnoticed.
Betty Cooper says
Thank you Aliza. Powerful and insightful words. This means a second and third
read!
Theresa says
Thank you, thank you for writing this. The tears finally flowed.
Aliza Latta says
I’m glad you were encouraged today, Theresa!
Clarita says
God Bless you❤✨
This so beautifull leave me speechless
Aliza Latta says
Thank you so much, Clarita.
Melissa Henderson says
Beautiful message. 🙂
Aliza Latta says
Thank you, Melissa!
Ann V. @rekindledsigns says
Thank you for this! The world needs more silence. My soul craves it too!
Aliza Latta says
The world does need more silence, but if we can’t silence the world for awhile, at least we can give our souls some quiet. Thanks, Ann.
Ann V. @rekindledsigns says
So true! We have to over ourselves enough to intentionally be quiet!!
Anne says
Thank you for the words I needed to hear with tears streaming.
Aliza Latta says
I’m so glad to hear you were encouraged by this today, Anne. Thank you!
Jessica Watkins says
Oh how I needed these words this morning. This month has been a noisy one and I feel like God has been silent – I am overwhelmed with the demands of being everything to everyone (self-imposed, of course)! I have been too busy trying to sort through all the noise and ‘figure it out’, distracted by making something of myself and striving for perfection. Even in my quiet time, I am to caught up in the noise to listen to God’s small whispers of encouragement. I am planning to take some time this evening to just sit and focus on how he loves me and who I am because of that, to let his identity wash over me and feed the empty places of my soul.
Thank you for the encouragement today!
Aliza Latta says
I totally get the self-imposed demands, but they feel so important, don’t they? I am praying now that your time with Jesus this evening will be one filled with peace, and knowing your true identity. Thanks so much, Jessica.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jessica,
Take it from a years-of-striving-to-be-perfect survivor…there is no such thing as perfect that we can attain. The only “perfect” is how God sees you through the precious blood of His Son…no striving needed. Your only identity is found in Christ…and in His book you are A-okay!
Blessings and peace,
Bev xx
Penny says
Aliza,
Thank-you for your amazing, well written post.
This I can relate to as I commented on it the other day: It was “I can’t even tolerate certain sounds.” When it’s too noisy, the place for me is one created by the Lord himself to refresh my mind, and it soothes the soul.
Have a peaceful day,
Penny
Aliza Latta says
I love that, Penny. Thank you!
Tracie says
Thank you for sharing this message. As an introvert I need a lot of quiet, so the world feels very loud right now. A friend talked to me about a weekend rest from social media, so this completes that idea by setting aside a time to focus on God’s presence.
Aliza Latta says
A social media rest is such a good idea, Tracie!
Ashley says
Thank you! Perfect timing for me to read this.. I am taking a break from some of the noise in my life. Many blessings on you and yours..
Aliza Latta says
Thank you, Ashley!
Sue Donaldson says
So beautifully said. And the fact that you lived it for ten min made the truth come in and through you. Which is key to a great writer, btw, but not the goal. The goal is to be. My mentor gave me Beloved by Nouwen for Christmas. Am taking my time through it but need to get back in it. As Chambers said, the answer to most of life’s questions are relatively few but they are answered by , “Come unto Me.” It’s that time in CA right now for me. Thank you, Aliza.
Aliza Latta says
Thank you, Sue. What a beautiful reminder. And I might check out that book.
Patty says
I’m so grateful you are sharing about disciplines here on (in)courage. Your honesty about the “post honeymoon” phase of silence and solitude truly blessed me. When that comes unexpected, we can feel inadequate or frustrated. We are retreating so we can be freed of what blocks us and be more intimate with Jesus as a result. Then, somewhere during our sweet communion, wham, we run into distraction and all sorts of hurt or striving we hadn’t even seen. This IS the first fruit of solitude and silence. God reveals all we were unknowingly avoiding in our frenetic and noisy lifestyle so He can help us through it. Another translation of “be still” is “cease striving.” Your post reminded me of that encouragement: “Cease striving and know I am God.” Thank you.
Aliza Latta says
“Post honeymoon” phase — such a true phrase. It’s true: I wrestled with guilt and inadequacy (well, I still do!) for a long time during my time with Jesus. But you’re right, he helps us through all of that… even when it feels like it may take awhile! Thank you, Patty.
Rebecca L Jones says
Reading this made me think of Jeremiah 33:3, call on me and I will answer and show you things you did not know, parahrasing. It also brought to mind the spiritual gifts. Since the Holy Spirit is our teacher, being still is how learn to walk in this, so many people don’t because of fear. There is too much noise, I think there may always be and we have to overcome by recieving His peace. Too much distraction leads to destruction, and the real tragedy is is we miss His voice. But like you say He seals our identity, quietly.
Cindi says
I have begun to do this. I need to get where it is done daily. But I was so at peace and God spoke to what needed to be addressed with a bible verse I would never of thought to read. It is getting and staying quiet for my mind seems to not want to shut up!
Thank you for the article for it reminds me I need to do it more often for my mind spins in circles sometimes and tv is on because I am alone it is nice to have a voice heard at times.
Niki says
Thank you for this reminder and encouragement to get still and quiet to hear His quiet whispers. My husband is a pastor and a year ago he burned out – literally hit a wall and couldn’t continue. The thing that has made the biggest difference to us, our lives, our health, and our walk with the Lord has been consistently taking a sabbath and changing the day from Friday to Monday.
You are right. We need to stop, be still and listen.
Xxx
Nancy Ruegg says
I, too, delight in your wisdom-beyond-your-years, Aliza. That coupled with your sweet humility will make you a fine instrument that God can use in powerful ways. You are so right that times of stillness replenish our spirits. I especially appreciated your suggestion of what to do during that stillness: “Ask Him to show you who you are, not who you should be.” Such a wonderful, practical way to renew the mind! Thank you, Aliza.
Sharon says
I love your post. We all need quiet and to be reminded that God loves us. Thank you for that!!!
Beth Williams says
Aliza,
I wish I had your wisdom in my younger years. This world get noisy with social media rants and all the “self-imposed” good Christian activities. I read something in my Bible study last night. “Everything good is not good for us.” If Jesus needed time alone to be with the Father-how much more do we need it. Just take a “Sabbath rest from social media, TV, etc. and reconnect with nature and your family. You will find the rest you need, and hear God talking with you.
Robin says
“…quietly sealing our identity.” You had me with this entire post, but that’s going to stick forever, I believe. Quiet is what my introvert, highly-sensitive self needs. I always need to sit in the presence of God. But I never do, or almost never, because there are little people all over the place who need all the things, all the time and who has time (or silence) to sit?!? But identity. I do need Him to tell me who I am and Whose I am. Because I know it in my head, but my heart needs the reminder deeply enough that I believe I my just carve that time out.
Katie @ Katie's Kronicles says
Love when Aliza writes!!!!! I 100% agree his voice is often a small whisper, gently filling our souls. Often though in some of my deepest pain and fear, his voice has overwhelmingly been the loudest. It was his roar that was overpowering the enemies voice. I had not experienced this before but in the storms, his voice was so clear. In the everyday I can find it a bit for difficult, but when I step back I realize I was living in his peace the whole time. You are so right Aliza, he delights in us, he sings over us, hes in the quiet and His voice will drown out every other voice.
http://www.katieskronicles.org