Try mastering the art of ‘silence’
Do know how to be quiet? Have you mastered the art of silence? Stillness? I don’t mean “not speaking” or “refraining from making noise.” The quiet, silence and stillness I am referring to requires a quieting of our thoughts as well. Being still and sitting, comfortably in silence is something I have yet to master. It is one area of my life I am giving great attention to the first part of this new year. Over the years, I’ve attempted to master this skill, trying every technique I read.
From limiting the amount of time I watch television to removing my access to electronic devices to creating quiet spaces with limited to no distractions – I’ve seemingly tried it all. But each time, I found that my mind would still for only a few minutes before wandering off to the do list of the day, new idea to share, or funky creative project to create. I liken my attempts to achieve stillness to the bakers who attempt to create a Sylvia Weinstock cake on Netflix’s Nailed It – complete fail but at least I tried. Trying isn’t good enough for where I’m going.
I’ve got to master this so that I can hear God speaking clearly. I believe now that I’ve set my intention, acknowledged my previous buffoonery, and committed to seeing this through, I just might conquer stillness in 2019. The next step is to follow the steps outlined in my first reading assignment of the year.
The book, The Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision Making, was recommended to me by one of my supervisors (Y’all know I got like 10 jobs – maybe that’s part of the problem. But that’s another topic for another day. Moving on). In the book, Elizabeth Liebert shares that “discernment is the Christian practice of seeking God’s call in the midst of the decisions that mark one’s life. ” In short, discernment is when we make room, space for God to speak to us about decisions we are making. For example, lets say you are currently seeking a new job.
As a jobseeker, you are reviewing the posts on CareerLink, attending local job fairs, and submitting applications on company websites and on LinkedIn (those were clues as to how to find opportunities – just in case you missed that). Through this process you interview with three different companies and two of the companies call you with job offers. Instead of accepting the job offered first, or the one with the highest salary, or the position that offers the best benefits, you take some time to pray and listen for God to speak and confirm which position you should take.
The space you make to hear from God, the active and contemplative listening you engage in, and the confirmation you receive is discernment. In that example, I’d argue that there were several opportunities before the job offers for you to practice discernment. You could’ve practiced discernment before beginning the job seeking process. Then, if the Lord confirmed you should begin looking for and applying to positions, you practice discernment, seeking guidance where to begin. And so on. At each decision point, even with decisions that seem small and insignificant, it is critical that we practice discernment. But too often, we fail to make space for God to speak and for us to listen.
In reference to Henri Nouwen, Liebert shares that “one of the things preventing Christians from moving ahead in their spiritual lives is a fear of empty space. [We] need a set of boundaries to provide a container within which [we] can be emptied of [ourselves] and filled with God.” When I read those statements, I paused and reflected on my own “fear of empty space.” I hadn’t really considered myself afraid of empty space before reading those words. But honestly, those words couldn’t be any truer. In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Word of God clearly says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift from God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” In other words, you can’t earn your way into Heaven. Yes, we are expected to live righteously (living right ways and following the example of Christ).
And yes, we are expected to not sin and when we do sin, seek forgiveness. But there is no amount of good deed, overwhelmingly busy schedule that will get you into Heaven. God’s grace is our gift to receive. A relationship with Him is also a gift and yet we don’t make time for it. Instead of prioritizing our days so that we have intentional, dedicated time to cultivate our relationship with Him, the busyness of our lives dictate our schedule. Making regular time with God, creates life-changing habits and gives us space for discernment – to hear from God.
We won’t always get decision making right. We can feel, discern that God told us to do something and the results of those actions turn out miserably for us. That doesn’t mean that you don’t or can’t hear from God. It means that you are human. It could also mean that maybe you did hear from God, took the right steps, but He allowed a different lesson to be learned from that experience. Either way, its important to note that, “discernment is not measured by outcomes but by our increasing sensitivity to God’s gracious invitations and desires for our welfare. The only way we fail at discernment is by deciding not to seek God’s call in the situations at all.”
Friends, as you work towards improving yourself, remember that there is no better you than a you that is deeply rooted in the Word of God and committed to daily relationship with the Lord of Lords. He is waiting for us to make time for Him, to consult Him on even the smallest, most insignificant decisions in our lives. Lets make time to hear from Him today.
Gina Watts is a former resident of Fayette County, now living in Columbus, Ohio. She serves multiple communities as an advocate, educator, and leader. Follow Gina on Twitter @professorgmarie.