The Desperate Need For Quiet

Right after I got saved, when I first started learning about what makes up the beautiful woman after God's heart, one of my Titus older women shared this verse with me.

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

I had always assumed, however prideful it may be, that whoever talks the loudest is the one who is heard. If you don't assert yourself and stand out from the crowd, you'll disappear into the woodwork, right?

That's not what the Lord says in His Word. That's not it at all in His characteristics of beauty. He instructs us to study to be quiet, to learn how to calm our soul, our minds, our words and our physical actions. That is how we stand out from the world around us, and that is what gets noticed.
 
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:3-4

Lately I've had several opportunities, particularly at work, to put these Scripture into practice. The newspaper business isn't the first place you'd find a meek, quiet spirit. We're busy and loud and pushy - some days it's just like the newsrooms you see in the movies. But when the scanner is yelling about crimes, the reporters are all talking on the phone getting interviews and the computers are whirring to get our work done, there is a desperate need for quiet.

And I'm not just referring to the noise level in the room. Tempers flare, frustration sets in and anger causes mouths to move in strange ways. It is in these moments that the quiet spirit, the one that has studied about how to handle this exact situation, takes a breath and says a prayer.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
 
I've added these two verses to my prayer list, just so I can create a quiet and peaceable life around me. I want to be a solid, dependable, quiet spirit for those around me. At home, in my church, the community and the newsroom, there is a desperate need for quiet.
 
In quiet there is peace.
There is relief.
There is the moving of the Holy Spirit.
There is time to stop, to think, to regroup and to act the way God desires.

Comments

  1. Laura,

    How often we mistake the loud flash in the pan for the move of God! Yet He is not there; He is in the still, small voice.

    Living in a motorhome with 5 other people gets quite noisy, and I often long for quiet but there is none. As you say, I need to learn to take a deep breath, look to the Lord, and seek the quiet which is always there amidst the bustle of life.

    God bless!

    Lisa
    www.LisaRaub.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa, I know you have such a challenge to find your own peace and quiet. There's no bench by the pond right outside your door every morning like there is here.

    That just means I know how to pray special for you each morning!

    Have a wonderful (quiet) day in the Lord!
    Laura

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  3. I am in the newspaper business, also - I am GM of a printing plant for a large newspaper company. You describe it perfectly and it is HARD to keep that quiet spirit.

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