Silence Takes Time to Work

What happens in the silence?

It’s not something that happens quickly, but it happens slowly, over time. Like taking vitamin supplements. I’m a big believer in supplements; but I know if I take a supplement and expect to see a quick change then I’ll be disappointed. It takes time for them to work.

It’s the same with silence. Silence causes me to be still. Being still causes me to slow down. Slowing down helps me become aware. Becoming aware helps me notice how God is moving and speaking, and all of this takes time.

I may practice silence in designated times of centering prayer, but it might be in the car where I turn off the radio, it might be on walks around the property, or it might be during every day chores. Whatever the case, practicing silence helps me become more aware of life around me and how God might be speaking to me through it.

Silence Causes a Slow Down

Over time through silence I naturally slow down. If I stay in a state of busyness where I fill my schedule with endless tasks and meetings and never allow time for silence, I become cranky, irritable, and tired. In some instances I completely burn out.

When I seek to have silence and stillness, this is less likely to happen. I am better able to pace myself so I don’t get in the harried busyness of overscheduling. I know that when I book appointments back to back for days on end, I will burn out. I can look at my schedule and recognize when enough is enough.

Silence Brings Peace

Through the silence I have become more peaceful. My whole body has slowed down both physically and emotionally, which brings peace. I hope there’s a natural benefit for those around me. I take time to sit down, have a conversation, and listen. I hope they sense the peace in me so it helps bring them peace.

Silence Creates Presence

The silence and stillness allows me to be present in the moment. Because I’m moving at a slower pace, I can actually notice the moments that I need to be present. I notice when someone is saying something meaningful and needs me to hear what they say. I hope I interact and respond in ways where the person feels heard.

Silence Decreases Anxiety

This slowing down has caused me to be less anxious. It hasn’t taken away my anxiety. That is still a work in progress, but the anxiety is much less than it once was because there’s less in my life and schedule to cause anxiety.

Silence Allows Hearing from God

All of this has allowed me to hear from God more than before. I might not hear from him in the silence, but slowing down and being present allows me to be present to see how God is moving. I take time to be drawn to wherever God might be drawing me.

I see people like I haven’t seen them before. I might pray for patience for a healthcare worker I see walking with an older person, or I might pray for a person doing road work or construction work not to get hurt. If I see something disturbing on the news, I take time to pray about the situation. The stillness trains me to be present in whatever I see.

I can also take time to hear what God might be saying to me about an idea. When I take time to slow down, I can think about a thought God introduced me to through scripture reading, nature, other people, something I observed, or whatever God used to get my attention. I can first pay attention to the thought then I’m able to take time to allow the thoughts and ideas to percolate and take on meaning and understanding.

It sounds like I’ve become a Zen master of silence. I haven’t. I still struggle with noise, over scheduling and busyness, but God has given me the ability to see what he does with me and through me in the silence so I long to have it. Since I long to have it and know what it can do in my life, I strive to make time for it.