1/27/16

Sitting in the Silence


We live in a busy world.

We live in a loud world.

And these things don't make the world bad. I love how life always moves and always speaks, for work creates beauty, and words give love. But I discovered this week that I need more than satisfying schedules and gratifying words.

This week I discovered the beauty of silence.



 I sat on my bed last Sunday afternoon, tired from trying, ready to keep trying, and trusting in Jesus. (Yes, I feel the confusion going on here.) Sunday brings me so much joy, and usually prayers bloom out of me during the long afternoon, but last Sunday, I couldn't find the energy to form words. And I didn't feel the need to say them.

And so I just sat there with Jesus. I reminded myself of His wonderful character and believed in my identity in Him. I didn't say anything. I didn't go through the list of prayer requests I built into my mind. I didn't mentally work through all of the events and thoughts from the past week. I just sat there.

It was enough to stay silent in Jesus' presence.

I imagined that the disciples sat with Jesus in silence many a night. I can see them sitting around a fire at night, their feet sore from a long day, their minds unable to grasp Who sat with them, and their hearts full of questions about the day, about the journey, and about Jesus. I can feel them start to utter these complaints, doubts, and questions when they stop. They look at Jesus. And they decide that it is simply enough to sit in silence for tonight.



I've gone a long time thinking that I needed to express every thought, write every idea, and pray with complete sentences. When I drive alone, I turn on the music. When I shower, I pray through the prayer requests I've stored up for the day. When I sit in my room, I'm always thinking, planning, and processing out loud, or at least with loud thoughts. I didn't develop the habit of staying quiet every now and then to sit with Jesus and examine my soul.

But after the silence of Sunday, my soul feels a bit more. My heart beats a bit more. And my mind rests a bit more. Sitting with Jesus changed the way I thought about life. For after that afternoon, I realized that I didn't have to come before God with many words or a focused heart. I could give Him my silence with just as much worship as I give Him my song. I could give Him my confused, tired, and trying heart with joy rather than shame.



The silence in my soul is a welcoming place now. And God wants to move in your silent moments as well. Will you take the challenge with me over the next few days to set aside five minutes (give or take, because we will not be legalistic about this) daily to simply sit with Jesus in silence? Will you turn off your phone, stop dwelling on those thoughts that never seem to leave, and start reminding yourself of Who God is and who you are in Him? Will you come to Him as you are, knowing that He is enough? Will you learn to welcome the mystery of vacancy and the wonder of the quiet minutes?

As I finish this post, sitting in the silence, I feel content and thankful. Not because I had a great day, not because I have it all together, and not because I feel spectacular about things. I don't. But I know that Jesus is with me and loves me right now in the silence. And that is enough.

Comment below if you have ever sat in silence. Also, I know our lives are so busy and loud, but can you share a recent moment where God broke through and showed grace in little or big ways?

Thank-you so much for reading my heartbeat today!

Princess Hannah
Hannah
18 Comments

18 comments:

  1. what a beautiful thought, Hannah. there are times I just sit in silence with God and its always beautiful. sometimes its hard, with the amount of noise in my house, but the times I do get away...they're amazing.
    thank you for sharing this experience :)

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    1. Yes, noise is had to escape from, but the silence is a wonderful gift! I'm thankful that you enjoyed this post!

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    1. Yes! It holds this soft power than nothing else does!

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  3. Yes. Silence is beautiful in the presence of the only One who truly knows you and loves you just as you are. <3

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    1. AMEN!!! He knows us and loves us. He loves our personalities! This struck me this week. Thanks for the comment!

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  4. "But I discovered this week that I need more than satisfying schedules and gratifying words. This week I discovered the beauty of silence. UM CAN I JUST SAY THAT I LOVE YOUR WRITING STYLE?? and these photos oh my word. I'm kind of in sensory overload because yoUR BLOG IS SO PRETTY GAAAAH. oki so like words. i don't have em. In fact, I'm kind of at a loss for what to say after reading such a beautiful work of art like this post. ♥ omw

    So I guess I'll say that I've been thinking about this a lot. Because I do this a lot. I'm always aware (and trying to be more aware) of God's presence and how he follows me and breathes with me and laughs with me throughout the day, every day, and a lot of times I just want to close my eyes and smile and feel His embrace. Like words aren't even necessary. I let them come when they want to, because I don't hold anything back. But like you were saying, the silence is enough. It really is! It's comforting. It's peace. Knowing that he will never leave us or forsake us. and gah it's just beautiful i can't even right now.

    Your blog is awesome. You are awesome. Keep dreaming and creating. :)
    love,
    abbiee

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    1. I read this poem after after an eventful and tiring morning, and it lifted me up so much! Like, you are the best Abbiee!!!! LONG COMMENTS MAKE MY DAY!!!

      And living WITH GOD even as He lives IN US gives us so much encouragement! I love how you said that he breathes and laughs with you throughout the day. That is our joy! And you are sooo right, it is beautiful!

      Thank you again for this amazing comment!!!

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  5. I do this frequently! I don't really talk to God during these times just sit there and feel peaceful in my love of Him and my knowledge of His love for me!
    Thanks for sharing! It's encouraging to know that someone else does this too! :)

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    1. YES!!!! Sitting in His enoughness brings so much encouragement and joy! I'm glad to have others that understand me on this :)

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  6. Silence encourages so much peace and serenity. It is a great activity to calm yourself down after a tough day and remind yourself of the beauty in the world. The photographs look like a lovely place to be silent as well.

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    1. After a long day, I too appreciate the silence. It is still and beautiful and yet loud and invigorating! Thank you for the comment!

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  7. Wow, yes. This post really speaks to me. I know all too well what you mean when you said you were tired of trying, but ready to keep trying, trusting Jesus. And when you explained how your mind is ALWAYS going, going, going. Because so is mine, and it is quite exhausting! I need to be okay with sitting in silence with God.

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    1. I feel you. I love to strive towards holiness, sometimes so much so that I forget that holiness is Christ in me, and that is enough.

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  8. Living in a house with seven family members means silence next to never. I struggle with finding time to go in quiet with the Lord these winter days but I'm trying to find and make time (even if that means going in the closet ;).
    It was very refreshing reading your post!

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    1. I have six people in my house, so I completely understand you here. But even in the background noise of life, silencing our souls is enough!

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  9. P.S I keep trying to follow your blog but google isn't letting me!!! :(

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