Stillness

Hello Friends!

I love receiving daily messages from Lamplighter. They are usually so full of wisdom. In this particular one, The writer was explaining a situation where his "impatient verbose spirit" had once again reared its ugly head. How I immediately related to that! I didn't even have to ponder, "hhhmmm... I wonder if I ever do that." Sometimes I will be formulating (and offering) my response  before a person has even finished talking. He then quoted something by Francois Fenelon, that struck me in a profound way:

"I think . . . that you should try hard now to practice silence . . . Silence promotes the presence of God, prevents many harsh and proud words, and suppresses many dangers in the way of ridiculing or harshly judging our neighbor. Silence humbles the mind, and gradually weans it from the world; it will supply all that you need . . ." 

Ouch! comes to mind... those words parallel one of my favorite verses, Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." I love this verse, but do I ever do it? Not often enough. I love the thought of being still and resting confidently in the promises of God. Just saying,"Be still", quiets the mind. Try it, seriously. You may almost be able to hear your heart beat. Your cares, for the moment at least, are set aside as you fully trust and rest in the presence of the Lord. 

Practicing silence keeps one from foolish words, mindless chatter, and harsh responses. It may allow one to shift the focus from the speaker, to the hearer, assessing how they might receive and interpret the spoken words. Will the words build up, edify, and point the hearer to Christ? Or, are they just to get your point across, to be heard, to elevate yourself?

I am not an expert by any means. These are just some of the things that personally convicted me after reading the words by Francois Fenelon.  I pray this may bless you as it did me.

God bless you!

Be well. Live well.

Jeanne