Finding A Quiet Place

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:2

God can speak to us and direct us in a variety of ways—through a meeting, through an overheard comment, or through an observed circumstance, just to name a few. But there is one thing God needs from us before he can direct us: a receptive heart.

A quiet heart is a receptive heart, so if we want to hear from God, we need to find ways to quiet our hearts before him. But how can we find a “quiet place” in a world where it’s hard just to find a moment’s silence?

It’s not as hard as you might think. Sometimes it’s just a matter of looking.

Look along the path of everyday life: There are quiet places to be found in our everyday routine, but we often fail to see them. A table in the corner of a coffee shop, a comfy chair in a hotel lobby, a bench in a park, or a path by the water can all be quiet places.

Look away from the crowd: You find quiet places away from the company of other people. So take a backpack and head to the hills, to a lake, to the beach, or to the rooftop. Walk the beach on a cloudy day or go to the zoo in the rain. Rise earlier in the morning than you usually do.

Look in your home: What robs your home of quiet? The TV? The radio? The stereo? Turn them all off! Fold up the newspaper and walk into your own backyard. Sit under a tree—or in one. Create a quiet place in your home. Hang a hammock or a front porch swing, and enjoy the quiet in those places.

Look at your schedule: Is someone always talking to you or at you? Is your every waking moment full? Take an eraser and remove 30 percent of your obligations for one week, and find a quiet place.

Once you’ve looked around and found yourself a quiet place, stay there for a while. Relax and listen. You just might hear the voice of God.

Jesus, show me how to schedule time to be with you in a quiet place.