THE SOUND OF SILENCE | Northstar Church

“…A time to be quiet and a time to speak.” – Ecclesiastes 3:7.

You are in the middle of a conversation with a group of friends, and suddenly, the words come to a halt. You assume everybody is thinking, but the short pause stretches and then stretches some more. Suddenly, it is awkward. You rewind the conversation to see if you said something wrong. This uncomfortable experience is something many of us would prefer to avoid.

Silence is hard because everything in our culture, everything in our hearts, and everything in our world pushes us to share our thoughts and express our opinions. Op-eds in the paper, conversations around the water cooler at work, the news media, social media, and other platforms tempt us to voice our opinions, rather than remain silent. Being still is not easy for us in this modern age. It means that we have to stop doing things like scrolling, planning, talking, watching, and hashtagging. It means that we cease all activity. It seems unnatural to be still, and there is a tendency to want to fill the silence.

Psalm 46:11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” In this verse, God is strongly urging us to be still and silent. Silence isn’t necessarily a command from God, but rather a practice that can foster a deeper connection with the Lord. It’s often seen as a way to quiet the noise of the world and our thoughts, allowing us to hear God’s voice better, whether through intuition, guidance, or a sense of peace. Additionally, silence can be a powerful tool for self-reflection, growth, and discernment.

Our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives. Just as we need to nurture our relationships with family and friends, we need to nurture our relationship with God. Quiet time helps us do this. During these moments of prayer and spiritual contemplation, we can slow down and connect with God on a deeper, more profound level. We can reflect on God’s Word, ask for guidance in our lives, and discover God’s will for our lives.

In a world that constantly pulls our attention in different directions, taking time to be still and spend time with God helps us stay focused on what is truly important. It gives us a chance to step away from the distractions of everyday life and to refocus our attention on God. Scripture tells us that we need to be still to hear from God. Psalms 37:7 says, “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” In the silence, we can hear God’s voice speaking to our hearts.

When our minds are constantly filled with outside stimuli, it becomes impossible to make space for the lessons that silence can teach us about God, about ourselves, and His work in the world each day.

Discussion Questions:

What does it mean to be silent before God?
How can silence help us hear God’s voice?”
What are some ways we can practice silence in our daily lives?