The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
-Isaiah 32:17
Does silence comfort you or is it cause for discomfort? Is empty space something that you feel needs to be filled or enjoyed.
One of my favorite things in the world is a good snow night. Sitting outside while the snow comes down and the world is silent. I always assumed the beautiful silence was just due to people being home during snow time, staying off the roads and enjoying the view from inside. I recently learned that another reason the world is extra quiet during a good snow is because the snowflakes absorb sound. What a gift to be surrounded by snowflakes that are taking on the burden of sound so I can more easily hear them hit the ground and enjoy the peace of the moment.
For me, with silence comes peace. I am not a ‘fill the time and space with as much as possible’ type of person. I know this is not the case for many people. Silence can be very uncomfortable and unnerving. The quiet can often become loud if it is a time that silence is not what you want. But even in the discomfort of silence we can find a wonderful gift from God. A moment to take a breath and listen for God working through the stillness, allowing God to take on the burden of life's noise.
The Methodist Theologian Adam Clarke wrote “Righteousness, cultivated by peace, produces tranquility of mind and permanent security.” In the quietness we can connect with our individual relationship with God, walking in God’s peace and assurance.
For me, discovering tranquility and security in God’s word is a big part of the advent season. Taking time to acknowledge and appreciate that peace and assurance can do a lot to connect us to ourselves and to each other. In my own experience, the effort towards living as Jesus taught comes with much needed silence to read, ponder and appreciate his message.
I hope we all find time for some peaceful quiet this year with our friends and families to enjoy God’s love as it silently settles even deeper into our hearts.