Quest Toward Quietness

Quest toward Quietness

Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:6

Amish have been referred to as “the quiet in the land.” Their refusal to rely on modern conveniences such as radios, televisions, and various appliances prevents a great deal of noise in their lives. But the Amish also have quiet hearts and minds.

Advertisers spend billions of dollars to send thousands of messages into our minds every day. The Internet connects us with an endless stream of friends and associates who have something to say. There is an increasing flood of information, facts, and advice. We get tired of sorting through it all. We pay big money to go on summer vacation. To get away. To find quiet.

Is it possible to discover quietness in our everyday lives, too? To work less, not more? To turn off the electronics and listen to the still, small voice of God’s Spirit? Better to have one handful with quietness. . . .

It’s up to us to stop chasing the wind. To say no to more commitments and yes to more peace. But we can’t do it on our own. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, ESV). He knows the realities of this world are too hard to face if our minds are too full and our backs are too burdened. We must turn to Him. (And being attentive to Him may mean turning off a few electronics.) We must confess that we’re trying to do too much and ask Jesus to take our burdens.

Sometimes God answers us by giving us strength. But sometimes He answers us by asking us to lay down burdens He never asked us to carry in the first place. Will you hand over those burdens today?

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You that the way You’ve chosen for me is a quiet path. Here are my burdens, Lord. Thank You for speaking to my heart and guiding the release of things I don’t need to carry.