Enjoying the Silence

I wrote this article for next month's Youth Newsletter & had to share it with everyone.

Enjoy!

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Recently, I went to visit Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp outside of Santa Cruz. I had never had the experience of seeing this place before, but as I drove over the small, rickety bridge that separates civilization from the wonderful world of nature, I was brought to tears at the amazing beauty of God’s creation.

As I walked through the camp, I saw huge Redwood trees towering overhead, appearing to be the guardians of this sacred place. Green leaves were the canopy over the forest floor and birds sang from a distance.

Basking in the glory of God’s masterpiece, I noticed how silent it was. Quiet. Almost eerie. No busy cars or screaming high school students. Nobody yelling their drink orders to their favorite Starbucks Barista or noisy commercials selling useless products on the TV.

Just quiet.

It seems like people are busier than ever. There’s always something that we need to check off the never-ending “To Do List”. Always something else to accomplish in our already hectic day. But, where does that leave us? Successful or just busy, stressed out and noisy?

In the Psalms, God reminds us of the stillness that we crave. “Be still…”

We are constantly trying to find the quiet in our lives, but fail at every earthy attempt. The only satisfaction that we can get is from our Creator.

The same God who created the beauty of nature created you to be still. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow in Matthew and even shows us His love through the stillness of Christ’s death. Silent. Quiet. On the cross.

In the Old Testament, Isaiah goes to the mountains to look for God. There was a fire, a flood and an earthquake. And, where was God? In the quiet presence of a gentle whisper in the cool breeze.

As you go about your day, remember the silence that God blesses us with. The silence that God is present in. Close your bedroom door, turn off the TV and iPod, and just be still. Know that He is God. You have a Creator just waiting to speak to you, to spend time with you. He’s not going to be in a piercing fire or thunderous earthquake. He’ll come in the quiet.

Take a breather. Relax. Enjoy the silence.