Finding God in the Quiet - Complete Health and Hope

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If it’s in the quiet that we hear & know God best, it’s no wonder why so many of us are lost in this busy, noisy world we call life.

With social media calling us at all hours of the day, beckoning us to skim as much information as we can but never really attaining knowledge on a deeper level. And with modern day work schedules ever increasing, there seems to be little time left over for family, real fellowship or even rest.

If we stop for just a moment and look at the work around us and reflect on the life of times gone by, it seems we are neglecting those times when God in His sovereign knowledge gave us rest. Back in creation, at the very beginning, God ordained a whole day of rest for His crowing glory-His people. But if we look more closely at the world around us, we see that God ordained a time of rest for nature as well.

Many animals hibernate during it. The ground rests during it. Trees and plants remain dormant during it. Even the sunlight doesn’t shine as long during it. It is winter. The season of rest. And yet, we have made it anything but rest. Holidays, resolutions, new years with new things added to our lists-all are the standard and expected, but are they what was intended?

Have you ever felt bogged down in the winter? Maybe you feel like your body just won’t do what all you need it to do. Or your brain just seems to be in a fog. Maybe you need to rest, to take in this season of a slower pace.

Our bodies were not designed to go without ceasing. Our minds were not created to be stimulated with social media all hours of the day and night. We were created to live within the rhythms of nature-to sow and to reap, to store up and to live off that surplus, to dance and to rest. Yes, everything under heaven has a season, a time appointed for it. But we as humans in our busy modern world have forgotten that.

This weekend our family went to a sports camp at the beach. It was a very busy weekend. But one morning while sitting together on the beach, we were forced to be still for a few moments and rest. In those hushed moments I heard the waves and the peace and I heard God-His voice in the sound of the rushing waters, His love that was deeper than the ocean, His presence giving warmth to my body and soul. And my heart began to worship and praise our Creator and Father-our Lord God! It was pure soul worship. God was there. In the midst of all the others, yet it was just me and God.

During this same trip, I assure you it was no coincidence that I began reading The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson. (I’ll be posting more on this book later. It is a must-read!) While this book focuses on cultivating a home that evidences the kingdom of God here in our broken world, it speaks about nurturing a place of rest, a place where God’s beauty in creation is showcased. All of this should be purposefully done in order to create a home where we are refueled and filled. But how can that happen if we aren’t rested?

So I have decided to forgo some of my New Year’s Resolutions, to prune areas of my life where I have taken on too much and focus on resting in Christ. Of course that doesn’t mean I’ll be quitting everything-we have to do school (sorry kids 🙂 ). And my husband would probably still like me to have supper cooked when he gets home. And I do still have goals that I feel God is calling me to accomplish. But I’m taking a look at all the fluff that is pulling me away from God and rest and at the very least putting them on pause.

What about you? Are you struggling against the rhythms of nature that God designed? God is calling you to join in His symphony. Take a few moments today to step away from the noise and into the quiet and you’ll find yourself in the loving arms of Jesus. Then let your soul worship and praise Him there.

Keep Worshiping It Up!

Brigett