Quiet Strength

by Jim Reynolds⁽¹⁴⁾

Today’s Walk

Quiet Strength

There are certain rare and gracious times when it seems God speaks so clearly to me, it is nearly audible. Most such experiences take me completely by surprise, as if God needs to catch me off guard in order to get through. I hear Him like this in the middle of the mundane or, usually at the end of prayer. Two days ago, it happened even before I began. I 've started to prayerwalk our church's sanctuary. I usually make several laps around the room, praying for our leadership, the general needs of the church, its vision, mission, and impact. I stand on stage where our Worship Team will be and ask for God's Presence to be undeniably real each time we gather. I lean on the pulpit and ask for wisdom, both for my preaching and for all the other teachers. I weave between each row of chairs, lifting up specific people and needs. I wear the names on my shoulders and over my heart like an ancient priest.

Two days ago, I decided to sit. I hadn't even settled my mind yet. My back had barely touched the chair when I heard, " In quietness and trust is your strength, " from Isa. 30:15, a verse I memorized 5 years ago when our daughter, Nicole, was in the hospital. Then, as often happens when I have this " audible voice " experience, God continued to speak. I don't know how to explain these moments and truly feel inadequate to even receive them. It is as if an entire conversation -- words, emotion, meaning, response -- is super compressed, like a dwarf star, and all of that light is forcibly thrust deep inside me. I instantly receive the entire message, but it often takes hours, days, goodness, weeks or years, to truly " get it. "

At first, I thought I was simply being " rewarded. " Prayer walking is one of several disciplines I've revived in the past several weeks. This " quietness " that I am carving out of each day at the office is strengthening me. I have noticed some subtle differences -- both in myself and in the church -- since I began the practice. Reward is not what I have in mind, Jim.

The verse kept replaying in this compacted " conversation, " or rather, a part of the verse. " In quietness is your strength. " I had never considered quietness one of my strengths. Far from it, actually. When I was growing up, I made your typical " wallflower " stand out like a hibiscus in a field of soybeans. I was backward, awkward, and yes, quite quiet. I have grown since then and God has changed me. I'm still more comfortable one on one than in large settings, but preaching in front of 10 or 1000 comes quite naturally (though I have not yet had the privilege of speaking before quite that many people.) It was my quietness back in those early days, however, that taught me the value of silence and of listening. Listening, in turn, deepened my compassion and empathy, and those equipped me for ministry. But, God, how does my quietness create strength right now?

In quietness is your strength. Conviction. It is not a strength right now, Jim. If we take the words at face value, one source of God's strength is quiet. Let me say that again: God's strength is given in quiet, which is one reason why most -- including me -- do not sense God's power at work around us all that often. If you're like many, quiet is as foreign to you as sleep is to a new parent. Though part of the overall equation, I sensed God wasn't convicting me of the typical busyness we all experience. I'm not talking (exclusively) about the way we wear ourselves out with soccer practice, music lessons, school functions, sporting events, working out, and yes, church. It has been said America is the only society where record amounts of both stimulants and sleeping aids are consumed. We down coffee and soda and Monster drinks to get us going, Tylenol PM and stronger prescription drugs to slow us down, do the whole thing over the next day, and still question our " productivity. "

In quietness is your strength. Where and how are you carving quiet out of your day? Better yet, Jim, how and why are you filling your day so that quiet has no room? Quiet is the natural order of things. It's why we " get away " on occasion. It's why people love to hunt, fish, and hike. Quietness is therefore not stolen from us; it is around us all the time, like the air we breathe. We crowd it out, similar to the seed that is choked by the weeds in Jesus' parable (see Matt. 13.) Like the air we breathe, if we push enough of it out of our atmosphere, we suffocate. As I said, I'm not just talking about typical busyness. For me anyway, it's simpler -- and more devious -- than trying to figure out how to be at both kids' Open House at the same time. Quietness is stolen -- check (see how easy that is?) -- quietness is often crowded out -- by my inactivity.

We each " relax " in different ways. We shut down, we " veg. " But part of God's message is that when our heads and hearts are full of the meaningless, our needed quiet is forced out and we give away strength. Some examples of what I mean: watching television just to " veg, " incessantly and obsessively checking your e-mail every few minutes (or Facebook, Twitter, etc...), " surfing the web " without clear purpose. These -- and more -- all threaten to banish quiet and sap spiritual strength.

I'm not saying these kinds of activities are " evil, " nor are they always a " waste of time. " I'm beginning to believe their damage is not in the time they " steal. " In fact, sometimes " vegging " is even necessary and healthy and I've had a ball reconnecting with old friends through Facebook. But I suspect everyone reading knows what I mean. There is that threshold that is crossed when engaged in those activities, that line where we clearly move into pointless wandering. It seems, at the time, to be harmless, medicinal even (or at least tranquilizing.) Our minds numb and it feels like quiet. If I am understanding my Father's message correctly, it is these times that thrust out the true quiet we so desperately need.

In quietness is your strength. You have a choice, Jim. The rest of Isaiah's message says, " But you would have none of it " and then goes on to describe the false strength the Israelites pursued. That line we cross from recreation to meaningless activity is pretty hazy... but I think most know when they're crossing it. It's when " surfing the web without clear purpose " leads you to sites you know shouldn't frequent. It's when constantly checking your e-mail prevents you from writing the one you need to. It's when Facebook is substituting for face to face conversations. I suspect the reader can fill in many more personal examples. Again, there is nothing " evil " about these actions, but they have an undeniable " filling effect, " crowding out the quiet and the strength we desperately need.

In quietness is your strength. Choose quiet and I will give you strength.

Walk WITH Jesus,

Jim

Article submitted Thursday, September 03, 2009 & read 1011 times.

Leave your comments through World Wide Bible Studies:

» left by Paul D. Plavnick from Marshfield, MO (2 years 160 days ago.)

Thanks for being the echo of our Father! -- Paul ><> + <><
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» left by Teresa Ortiz (2 years 160 days ago.)

Hi Jim, certainly a much needed lesson for me. "Crowding out the quiet". With my busy schedule, it is easy for me to do this, and after a time, I do feel my strength leaving me. When in ministry, it is easy to mistake our times of preparation and writing our lessons for others, as our own quiet time with the Lord. It happens for me at times anyway. Thank you for sharing this message here. I would have seen it by email, but I am glad you shared it with world-wide. I pray this powerful message from our heavenly Father will work to turn many, many hearts back to Him and regain strength. Blessings to you! Teresa
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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁸⁾ (2 years 160 days ago.)

Hum.... He seems to be talking much to His Body lately about being quiet....(I really loved this quote "is super compressed, like a dwarf star" and the ensuing lines you wrote. Thanks for sharing this! I best go and "be still and KNOW..." Marijo
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» left by Cindy Johsnon from Galesburg, IL (2 years 160 days ago.)

Excellent reminder for me! In the evenings I have alot of quiet time I'm foolishly wasting. It's also so comforting to know that you're prayerwalking our sactuary and praying so faithfully for us! I relate to your quietness, also being a very shy child partly due to the situations that occurred; but I've always been a great listener! I love my Sunday School class of kids but still not comfortable in large crowds. I've learned alot since you've arrived and I'm so thankful God led you to us.
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» left by Vitaliy Babych from Kyiv, Ukraine (2 years 159 days ago.)

Thanks, Jim, for your thoughtful message! In Isaiah 7:4 the Lord also says that the trust in Him is bolstered by the quiet of heart (unfortunately, Ahaz, king of Judah, did not pay heed). A very convincing passage for me is also Isaiah 28:12 where the prophet warns Ephraim against their pride by calling on them to repent. The Lord (through Isaiah) makes a direct link between repentance and the "resting place" : "THIS IS THE PLACE OF REPOSE -- BUT THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN" .

Looking forward to more of such wonderful observations.

Vitaliy
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» left by Tony from Springfield, IL (1 year 202 days ago.)

I really enjoyed reading that and all I can say is AMEN, I hear you LORD.
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