A Means of Deepening

Over the past couple of days, we’ve been reflecting on Psalm 62 and the practice of cultivating a little silence in our lives. 

The author and philosopher Ryan Holiday, has been really influential in helping me think about this. He argues fairly strongly about the importance of intentionally cultivating silence in our lives. He makes the point that it is difficult to understand yourself if you are never by yourself. It is difficult to have much in the way of clarity and insight with noise constantly pouring in. And, he claims, that if we cultivate a regular habit of silence, we will carry back with us the stillness from that silence in the form of patience, understanding, gratitude, and insight. 

Thomas Merton puts it this way: if we, “dare to penetrate our own silence and… advance without fear into the solitude of our own hearts… then (we) will truly recover the light and the capacity to understand what is beyond words and beyond explanations…”

I think again about Psalm 62. The psalmist who wrote this, and how he used quietness and inner stillness as means for deepening faith and trust. I think about the burdens of his life and the faith that sustained him – a faith and sureness that he cultivated… 

Again today, I wonder how our lives would look if we were able to reduce just a little of the noise and chatter around . If we were able to carve out even a little time each day to sit silently in God’s presence…? What if, for thirty minutes each day, we were to turn off the ringers, the notifications, the TV, the iPad, and listen for that still small voice?

I don’t know how this might look for you. I do know for the young parents, I remember that stage… there is very little quiet – ever. But for all of us, if we can find it, it is a gift.

Ryan Holiday writes, “The fact that silence is so rare is a sign of its value. Seize it. We can’t be afraid of silence, as it has much to teach us. Seek it.” 

Let us pray: Holy God, as we embrace a moment of stillness even now, we ask for Your presence to envelop us. In the relative quiet, speak to our hearts… Strengthen us. Renew us. Fill us with your peace. Amen.