Embracing Silence: Finding God in Stillness
Summary
In today's reflection, we explore the profound invitation to live with an uncluttered mind. We all have a drive for significance and a desire to make a difference in the lives of those around us. However, when we are consumed by frantic energy, stress, and preoccupation, we cannot offer the life-giving presence that comes from being rooted and centered in God. Our world is filled with clutter—our living spaces, our schedules, and most importantly, our minds. The challenge is to declutter our minds and embrace silence, which can be a source of anxiety for many.
Drawing from Henry Nowen's insights, we recognize that silence often provokes nervousness and restlessness. Yet, the purpose of our spiritual journey is to reveal that God is a God of love, not fear. By transforming anxious silence into peaceful silence, we can encounter the loving presence of God. This transformation begins with befriending silence, allowing it to become a space where we can hear God's gentle whisper.
The story of Elijah in 1 Kings illustrates this beautifully. Elijah, in his desperation and anxiety, encounters God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. This narrative teaches us that God often speaks in the quiet moments, and it is in silence that we can truly hear Him.
Silence is not merely the absence of noise but a rich soil where deep thoughts can grow. It is in these moments of stillness that we can confront our shadow missions—those default paths that lead us away from God's purpose. By embracing silence, we allow seeds of thought that can bless, guide, and nurture us to flourish.
As we sit in silence, we are invited to reflect on the phrase, "The Lord is my Shepherd." This thought reminds us that we are not alone, not left to our own resources, and not trapped in inadequacy. God, who speaks in a still, small voice, is our Shepherd. Let this truth anchor us today as we navigate the clutter of our minds and lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Silence: Silence can be intimidating, often provoking anxiety and restlessness. However, it is in silence that we can encounter God's love and presence. By transforming anxious silence into peaceful silence, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God. [03:25]
2. God Speaks in Silence: The story of Elijah teaches us that God often speaks in the quiet moments. In the sound of sheer silence, Elijah encounters God. This narrative reminds us to seek God's voice in the stillness, beyond the noise of our daily lives. [05:08]
3. Confronting Our Shadow Missions: Silence provides the space to confront our shadow missions—those default paths that lead us away from God's purpose. By embracing silence, we allow seeds of thought that can bless, guide, and nurture us to flourish. [08:03]
4. The Lord is My Shepherd: Reflecting on the phrase "The Lord is my Shepherd" anchors us in the truth that we are not alone. God, who speaks in a still, small voice, is our Shepherd, guiding us through life's challenges and uncertainties. [09:54]
5. Living with an Uncluttered Mind: In a world filled with clutter, the invitation is to live with an uncluttered mind. By focusing on the presence of God and the truth that He is our Shepherd, we can navigate the tasks, problems, and questions that seek to overwhelm us. [10:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Introduction to Living with Significance
- [00:50] - The Contagion of Frantic Energy
- [01:19] - The Cluttered World and Mind
- [01:49] - Henry Nowen on Silence
- [02:24] - The Anxiety of Silence
- [03:08] - Transforming Silence into Encounter
- [03:56] - Elijah's Encounter with God
- [05:08] - The Sound of Sheer Silence
- [06:02] - John Cage and the Power of Silence
- [06:46] - Hearing What is Within
- [07:07] - Confronting the Shadow Mission
- [08:22] - Silence as Rich Soil
- [09:13] - The Lord is My Shepherd
- [10:18] - Navigating Life's Clutter with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living with an Uncluttered Mind
Bible Reading:
- 1 Kings 19:11-13
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Kings 19:11-13, how does Elijah experience God's presence, and what does this reveal about how God communicates? [04:53]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the ways our minds become cluttered, and how does this affect our ability to connect with God? [01:35]
3. What does Henry Nowen suggest about the nature of silence, and why might it provoke anxiety in people? [02:08]
4. How does the story of Elijah illustrate the concept of God speaking in silence, and what is the significance of the "sound of sheer silence"? [05:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of Elijah teach about the importance of silence in our spiritual lives, and how might this apply to modern-day believers? [04:53]
2. How can transforming anxious silence into peaceful silence deepen one's relationship with God, according to the sermon? [03:25]
3. In what ways might our "shadow missions" distract us from God's purpose, and how can silence help us confront these distractions? [08:03]
4. Reflecting on the phrase "The Lord is my Shepherd," how does this truth provide comfort and guidance in the midst of life's clutter? [09:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Think about your daily routine. What specific steps can you take to create moments of silence and stillness to hear God's voice more clearly? [10:18]
2. Identify one area of your life that feels cluttered or chaotic. How can you invite God into that space to bring peace and clarity? [01:35]
3. When you feel anxious or restless, how can you practice transforming that silence into a peaceful encounter with God? [03:25]
4. Consider your own "shadow missions." What are some default paths you tend to follow that lead you away from God's purpose, and how can you address them? [08:03]
5. Reflect on the phrase "The Lord is my Shepherd." How can this truth anchor you when you face challenges or uncertainties this week? [09:54]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to embrace silence as a way to deepen their spiritual journey?
7. What practical changes can you make in your environment (home, work, digital life) to reduce clutter and foster a more centered and God-focused mindset? [01:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Transforming Anxious Silence into Peaceful Silence
Silence can often be intimidating, provoking feelings of anxiety and restlessness. However, it is in these quiet moments that one can encounter the profound love and presence of God. By transforming anxious silence into peaceful silence, individuals open themselves to a deeper relationship with the divine. This transformation begins with befriending silence, allowing it to become a space where God's gentle whisper can be heard. Embracing silence as a spiritual practice can lead to a more centered and rooted life, free from the frantic energy and stress that often consume us. [03:25]
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For 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.' But you were unwilling."
Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally sat in silence? How can you create a space today to listen for God's gentle whisper in the quiet?
Day 2: Seeking God's Voice in the Stillness
The story of Elijah in 1 Kings illustrates that God often speaks in the quiet moments, not in the chaos or noise. Elijah encounters God in the sound of sheer silence, teaching us to seek God's voice beyond the distractions of daily life. This narrative encourages individuals to find moments of stillness where they can truly hear God. By prioritizing these quiet times, one can cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence and guidance in their life. [05:08]
1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV): "And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: What noise in your life is preventing you from hearing God's voice? How can you create a moment of stillness today to listen for Him?
Day 3: Confronting Shadow Missions in Silence
Silence provides a fertile ground for confronting our shadow missions—those default paths that lead us away from God's purpose. In the stillness, individuals can reflect on their true intentions and align their lives with God's will. By embracing silence, one allows seeds of thought that can bless, guide, and nurture to flourish. This practice encourages a deeper self-awareness and a commitment to living a life that honors God's calling. [08:03]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: What are the shadow missions in your life that divert you from God's purpose? How can you use silence today to confront and realign with His will?
Day 4: Anchoring in the Truth of God's Shepherding
Reflecting on the phrase "The Lord is my Shepherd" anchors individuals in the truth that they are not alone. God, who speaks in a still, small voice, is a guiding presence through life's challenges and uncertainties. This truth provides comfort and assurance, reminding individuals that they are not left to their own resources or trapped in inadequacy. Embracing this reality can lead to a more peaceful and confident approach to life's complexities. [09:54]
Ezekiel 34:15-16 (ESV): "I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel alone or inadequate? How can you remind yourself today that God is your Shepherd, guiding and providing for you?
Day 5: Living with an Uncluttered Mind
In a world filled with clutter, the invitation is to live with an uncluttered mind. By focusing on the presence of God and the truth that He is our Shepherd, individuals can navigate the tasks, problems, and questions that seek to overwhelm them. This practice involves decluttering not just physical spaces, but also mental and spiritual ones, allowing for a more intentional and meaningful life. [10:50]
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What mental or spiritual clutter is overwhelming you today? How can you focus on God's presence to clear your mind and find peace?
Quotes
We live in a world of clutter. Our house or apartment or dorm room, our living space gets cluttered, our inbox, all the emails, our devices get cluttered, our schedules get cluttered, but worst of all is our minds get cluttered. And today, the invitation for you is to live with an uncluttered mind. [00:01:22]
One of our main problems is that in this chatty society, silence has become a very fearful thing. For most people, silence creates itchiness and nervousness. Many experience silence not as full and rich but as empty and hollow. For them, silence is like a gaping abyss which can swallow them up. [00:02:00]
Isn't the purpose of all ministry, really all life, to reveal that God is not a god of fear but a god of love? And couldn't this be accomplished by gently and carefully converting the empty silence into a full silence, the anxious silence into a peaceful silence, the restless silence into a restful silence? [00:03:08]
There is a famous story in the Bible in the book of First Kings. You might know about it where Elijah, a prophet who's been trying to serve God, is desperate and frantic and anxious and suicidally depressed, wants God to take his life, comparing himself to other people. [00:03:56]
And God leads him deeply into the desert, and then we're told he has this remarkable experience where he hears the sound of a great wind, but the Lord is not in the wind, whatever that means. And then there is the experience of a deep earthquake, but the Lord is not in the earthquake. [00:04:17]
And then it says in the 12th verse of First Kings 19 that Elijah moves to the edge of the cave where he is, and then there is, uh, and apparently the Hebrew here is quite hard to translate. Sometimes it's translated to still small voice, if you've ever heard that phrase, that's where it comes from. [00:04:46]
People who composed music are involved in music will often talk about how in music it's really the silence, it's the rest between the notes that matters. One of the most famous compositions, kind of an avant-garde piece of the 20th century, John Cage wrote is called 433. [00:05:26]
When all the outside sounds are stilled, then you can hear what is within. And it's a remarkable thing that when I still my outer world, when I declutter it, then I hear what is in my mind, and silence is what enables the deep thoughts to go deep within me. [00:06:46]
Silence becomes this very rich soil in which seeds of thoughts that can bless us and guide us and warn us and nurture us can grow and bloom. So I want to offer you a moment of stillness now, and you might think about the term the Lord, the Lord is. [00:08:18]
Now here's the thought that you can sit with for a moment right now, in a rich full silence: the Lord is my Shepherd. I am not doing life on my own. I am not left to my own resources. I am not trapped in my inadequacy. I have a shepherd. [00:09:08]
And he is the God who made everything, who speaks in a still small voice and a gentle whisper, and in this sheer sound of silence, the Lord is my shepherd. Let that be the thought that you come back to today, and when your mind wants to clutter you with all kinds of tasks. [00:09:57]
Let the fire and the earthquake and the wind go on and listen in the silence to that one thought: the Lord is your Shepherd. Make today count, together with him. I'm very grateful for these moments with you. I love you. See you next time. [00:10:41]
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