Embracing the Silence

This week, I learned something that I found quite interesting! As a musician, I am so preoccupied with listening to and analyzing sounds, that it is hard for me to just sit and appreciate silence. Even in our modern day world, it's so easy to get caught up in our cell phones, our computers, our music, our errands, our responsibilities, our thoughts, the people around us, that we never learn to just stop and embrace silence for a while. A perfect Biblical example of this is Mary and Martha. Luke 10:38-42 says "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, 'Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.' But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her" (NLT). You see, as noble as Martha's efforts were, she was missing the big picture! Jesus, the Lord and Savior of all mankind, the Son of the Living God, the one who raised people from the dead and cured diseases with just a simple touch, was staying in her home! She was so caught up in her tasks, she did not stop to appreciate Jesus' presence! 

 My musicology professor actually made a great point to my class. She said, "If you don't get your necessary amount of silence, your mind can be overwhelmed! Silence can make you a better person and even a better musician!" She then challenged us to stay away from technology and social media for 24 hours or to sit in silence for an extended period of time. The results for those who stayed away from social media were they realized they spent more time having thoughtful conversations with people and were more productive! For those who sat in silence for an extended period of time, they heard sounds that they would have normally overlooked and they felt so relaxed and refreshed afterwards! Friends, I don't know about you, but I don't want to be so caught up in the things I have to do that I forget to give my Lord and Savior the time and appreciation he deserves. One way I like to sit in the Lord's presence for long periods of time is through meditation. It helps me tune out the world around me and just focus on the Lord! I challenge you to just take some time to unplug from the world and sit in God's presence for a while! Take refuge in the fact that He is Lord of ALL and He is greater than anything you could possibly be dealing with! It's in this moment of silence that he will speak to you, comfort you, and give you the rest you need to keep going! Stay Strong! 

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. (Psalm 46:10 NLT)