A Little Quiet Here…

QUIET! Wouldn’t that be nice? A little quiet time? What would you do with it? Would you even BE quiet? There are times (probably more times than not) in my life when although my mouth wasn’t moving, I’m not making noise, and I’m sitting quietly…I’m really not quiet. Because my mind is a whirling dervish of activity!

Oh, if I could only shut off my brain and just be still for a little while. Well, my doctor says that it’s a good thing that my brain never shuts off, because if it did, I’d be dead! *sigh* I only want a little quiet sometimes. Know what I mean? Just a little quiet. God wants us to be quiet sometimes, too.

Be still and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:10

Have you ever wondered exactly HOW to be still and just KNOW that He is God? Oh, that would be called, FAITH. Yet, there are still times when we really need to just be quiet! Just be quiet. We come to God, maybe not daily, which we should, but we come to Him with our complaints, our requests, our lists of things we would like for Him to do. And don’t get me wrong, God wants to give us SO much. Because He loves us so much. He wants to give us everything we desire (within reason, of course). Yet, there are times when we need to just take a breath and get quiet before Him and LISTEN.

How do we listen for, or to God? I think that’s a personal thing for everybody. Some people claim that God has spoken audibly to them. Some say it’s that “Still, small voice” inside. Some say it’s a feeling, a presence, or a thought. Maybe something someone says to you is God giving you directions or confirmation. But if we’re making noise and not paying attention, we miss it! I know I’ve missed many a word from my heavenly Daddy many times. And I have regretted it. But here’s the really cool part: I can go to Him, get quiet, apologize for not paying attention, and He will re-deliver His message to me!

Don’t think so? He did it for Jonah. Jonah blatantly disregarded God’s directions and went the opposite way… oops… but he changed his mind (of course, he was in the belly of a great fish, so he had time to think) but he apologized and God re-delivered His message. So, why not me? Why not you, too? There’s that faith thing, again. If we have faith, believe, trust, and receive, the possibilities are endless. And to me, that’s exciting stuff!

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you. So Jonah got up and went…” ~Jonah 3:2-3a (HCSB) (emphasis mine)

So, the next time life seems to be dragging you down, BE QUIET! Get before God and ask Him what He would have to say to you today. You might just be surprised in a very special way.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.