Craving Quiet

I love the quiet. I love stillness. Peace in my heart.

I went for a walk at the state park the other morning and it was glorious. But most days, quiet is hard to come by.

Construction noise.
Neighbors dog barking.
Our dog barking.
Children boisterously playing.
Phones beeping.
Places to be.
Things to do.
Trucks backing up. (why do they need to do so many beeps? I get it! You’re backing up!)

Sometimes, my craving for peace and quiet is intense. As in, “Get me out of here and put me on a quiet beach with no one around for miles,” quiet.

Yes, I need times to be alone. Time to think and be. Amen to that.

But when I demand or make it my urgent quest to have quiet, whatever the cost, this is just an occasion for the noise going on inside of me to come out. Irritability, worry, stress, anxiety. Wanting to break free. And I falsely think quiet will always deliver the promise of peace.

But then God showed me this week. Peace and quiet are not guaranteed by my circumstances. Nor do they come only when I am alone.

With God, peace and quiet are always at my disposal. His promises, his character, his presence, can give me peace. He can quiet my heart regardless of the noise around me.

One of my favorite counselors says it this way:

“…not a blissful, unruffled detachment, a meditative state of higher consciousness. It’s not about having an easygoing personality or having low expectations so you’re easy to please. It’s not retreat from the troubles of life and the communion of other people.”

Quietness and composure are learned in relationship with the one who loves me best. I can learn over time not to be consumed with cares but to abide in his care.

Only God can quiet my busy heart. Only he brings peace to my fretting. And when I ask, he delights to do so.

Where do you need to quiet your heart this week by his grace?

Psalm 131:1-2

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.