Finding Jesus Better in the Quiet

2/5/2019

For those who are joining us in reading Jesus is Better Than You Imagined (and for those who aren't!), let's highlight chapters 0-1 this week. (Click here for our reading plan.) Each week we will highlight scripture that the author references, and will throw out a couple questions for thought/discussion (feel free to comment below).

In Chapter 0, Jonathan Merritt describes a felt distance from the God he grew up with. "The God who had once seemed to breathe on my neck was now a ghost in the distance, blurry & noiseless." (p. 3) He describes a heart "hardened, clogged by the traditions of religion and the cardboard God I had created." (p. 11) and he yearns to meet the God of the Bible, who loves surprises and "makes a habit of showing up in unexpected ways and unpredictable times." (p. 12)

In Chapter 1, Merritt finds His first unexpected way to encounter Jesus: 60 hours at a monastery in the desert. Here he experiences first-hand what it means to "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). While uncomfortable with it at first, Merritt ends up relishing the opportunity to "turn off the noise in order to tune into God." (p. 20).

The concept of sitting quietly in the presence of God has actually been on my mind lately. I've been trying to take a 'daily pause'...literally setting my phone timer for 5 minutes, sitting in a quiet place and repeating "Be still and know that I am God" when my mind starts to wander. I can attest to Merritt's experience that he describes on p. 23 "But best of all were the times when I just listened. This was a new way to pray for me. In His presence, my silence conveyed my trust in and dependence on Him. Sometimes God spoke to my heart and at others He remained as quiet as I."

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Friend, are you weary? God offers us rest, and it takes only ONE STEP on our part--COME. Come to Him. In order to grab hold of the rest He offers we have to intentionally COME.

Will you try this? God won't disappoint. Give Him 5-10 minutes of uninterrupted quiet time. No agenda. Just sit, open your ears, and listen. "...being in a silent state helped me to hear, unclogging my ears. Without the raucous world around me, I could discern God's voice." (p. 28)

This week, we challenge you to take this 'daily pause'--a time of active silence, where your "ears are open and palms are turned toward the sky" (p. 34). Share your experience below in the comments...was it uncomfortable? Welcomed? What did God say? Or did He remain silent and just provide you with Rest? Will you commit to making this part of your routine?

"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15

Let's not miss the opportunity God gives us to lean into Him and hear from Him in the silence.

5 Comments

Kaylee

2/9/2019 02:19:51 pm

I have also purposefully made regular time to pause and listen. I can relate when he says, "Sometimes God spoke to my heart and at others He remained as quiet as I." There are times I so want to hear from God but He stays silent. I hear nothing. But as I have done this more and more, I can feel His presence. And in the times He doesnt seem to answer, He faithfully provides in HIS timing, that is way better than mine anyway. This used to drive my impatient self crazy, but I have learned to trust and rely on Him so much more. And if I go too long without pausing to listen, I feel myself drifting away from patience, peace, hope, love...

Another thing I thought about during this chapter is that when I am taking regular time with "ears open and palms turned toward the sky", I am able to experience that stillness even during busy and noisy times. God is available all the time, but He wants us to make time and go to Him regularly. Then, we get more used to hearing Him. It's TRUE. Praise the Lord!

Rebecca Rauwerdink

2/17/2019 02:25:36 pm

This week God himself placed the wooden necklace around my neck. Google calendar was telling me all sorts of things to focus on, my Fitbit was telling me that I was 5,000 steps behind my mother in law and had to get moving, and then I got sick. On the couch for three days straight. Fitbit was buzzing me to get moving, the calendar was forgotten, and I slept. These are the reminders from God to slow down and rest. I have rested and am thankful for things that I daily take for granted. My couch was my desert this week and I'm thankful I found Him there.

2/19/2019 12:31:59 pm

Funny how we sometimes resist the rest! I know I do. And yet, there He is. <3

Tatum

2/18/2019 08:42:30 pm

Silence... it is probably the hardest thing for me. I’m very extroverted... all the stereotypes. I struggle when there is a pause in people talking or when someone asks a question and nobody answers right away. I talk to think... not good at processing my thoughts internally. I gain energy from being with others. This is hard for me but I know it is necessary to hear God's voice and I will commit to doing it. I’ll pop back on here after I’ve had the chance to do so for a while!!

2/19/2019 12:35:40 pm

I hear you! This was so hard for me at first! Even now the silent silence often doesn't work for me. I have found that sometimes listening to worship music in the background and/or getting a pen and notebook help my verbal processing self to listen!

Thoughts & Encouragement