He talks about the recent debate between Trump and Clinton while holding the phone in the palm of his hand. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say he is having his own debate and I am the attentive audience of one. He collects information, makes assessments, debates between knowledge and wisdom: all without peaceful resolution.
I have little to say except, “Lord have mercy. Help us to rest in you.”
I think about what Brené Brown says about how we live in a vulnerable world yet numb vulnerability in unhealthy ways. We long to make all the uncertainties in life certain before we can truly rest. And right now, we are uncertain about many things. Our country is in a continual state of unrest.
Brown says, “Religion has gone from a belief in faith and mystery to certainty. I’m right, you are wrong, shut up. That’s it. The more afraid we are, the more vulnerable we are, the more afraid. This is what politics look like today. There is no discourse any more, there is no conversation, there is just blame. . . . blame is a way to discharge pain and discomfort.”
As a shame researcher, Brown made those wise assessments in her famous Ted Talk back in 2010. What has changed?
Weaving Ourselves Into the World
Read the headlines, talk to your neighbors, mentor a college student, and discover a similar truth: we experience pain, not as an exception, but rather as a normal part of our humanity. And the way to conquer pain is in finding Jesus’ still, small voice above the noise.
Recent neuroscience research reveals that “freedom from noise and goal-directed tasks, it appears, unites the quiet without and within, allowing our conscious workspace to do its thing, to weave ourselves into the world, to discover where we fit in. That’s the power of silence.”
We are rarely free and quiet because the noise is always in our hands.
Florence Nightingale was on to something when she wrote, “Unnecessary noise is the most cruel absence of care that can be inflicted on the sick or well.”
Our country is experiencing an absence of care and future generations will reap the consequences.
When perspective becomes slanted and days are disoriented—when emotions are out of sorts and your heart feels heavy—rhythms reorient toward what matters most.
Maybe you don’t have the luxury of going somewhere quiet for long periods of reflection, but you can find a spot to sit and stare out the window during your lunch break. In the same way you start your day with a predictable routine of brushing your teeth and showering; incorporate three minutes a day to listen to your heart and hear what God is saying.
The way toward arriving at a peaceful place of inner quiet isn’t by creating more noise, but by fighting for the riches of rest with unwavering determination.
The joy of Sabbath arrives when we believe it is a gift available for everyone regardless of situation, political leaning, or certainty. May we be people who recognize that disorientation isn’t negative but the beginning of a new way forward.
Disorientation is the perfect storm reminding us how desperately we need a Savior, a remembrance that he is with us, always.
Giveaway: Exclusively for Readers of DeidraRiggs.com
Question for you: What could God be saying that you aren’t hearing over the noise?
Find more of Shelly’s writing at ShellyMillerWriter.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where she shares photos of the beautiful places she visits while living as a committed immigrant in London.
Deidra
I totally agree with the need for rest. Without my morning “sabbaths” I would unravel during the day. As a Canadian we celebrated Thanksgiving this past weekend. We had our family of 15 plus 4 dogs. Ages 2 and up. 7 grandchildren. My mornings were not a time of rest. But since I do the rest regularly I felt a peace and calmness all weekend. Beautiful.
What I need is a continued time with Him this week.
Blessings
Janis
http://Www.janiscox.com
I’ve been thinking of all of our Canadian relatives this past weekend Janis. I love that you’ve practiced Sabbath long enough that it has become a way of life — living with a peaceful heart despite interruptions. May we all embrace this approach toward rest.
Thanks Shelly. Blessings on promoting your book.
God could be gently speaking over me, urging me to let go of the perfect circumstances I seek and to trust that this imperfect place is where He has me and that I can find joy and contentment here and now. He could be telling me not to be so hard on myself as I learn how to live out my days as a mother of three little ones and as a wife to a farmer and as a homemaker. He could be telling me that I don’t have to try to be perfect and that He is big enough to speak through me to my children through my flaws as He continues to grow me day by day.
Wow Katelyn, I love your honesty. You’ve left some inspiring words in this comment box, thanks for being here! Your words are life giving.
Shelly, I love what you write, and I love what Deidra writes. It was such a lovely surprise to read your words here. They’re convicting to me, because while I try each morning to carve out mini Sabbath and to hear from God, I counteract and dangerously drown out His voice later in the day (usually of all times before I go to bed) with recorded news. It’s loud and lewd in nature, because it’s political and centers on this terrible election. I mean that word–terrible. I have tears in my eyes, because just before I sat here to scroll through anything I might need to handle before readying for an early internist appointment, I thought, I’m so sick of the noise. Lately, I’ve been wondering if God wants me to turn off the television entirely and let Him speak to my deepest recesses in the silence. I don’t need to be a good citizen to watch the endless parade of debauchery that has become American news. Very little of it is necessary or edifying. I heard a commentator say as much last night–lambasting his own kind for going for the cheap and (so-called) entertaining thrill of voyeurism masquerading as news–forgetting the reasoned analysis, the reasoned debate of differing viewpoints. It’s noise of the worst kind, and it’s killing our collective American soul. Maybe one reason there is so much division and diatribe is because people are listening to the noise of partisan-ism and not the deep peace of God. What could God be telling me personally if I don’t seek Him in silence that lasts longer than two hours each morning? I sense as I enter my own personal autumn that He wants to tell me something significant before it literally is too late–maybe something that could actually change the life of just one person through the passion He has given me–prayer-journaling. It’s one way to hear from God, but you have to be silent to communicate in this way. I have shared about that throughout my ministry, but I sense He wants me to take that message out of storage and make it more public again. That daunts me. But I know how life-giving it is, just as Sabbath is, and it’s a way to hear from God that is profound and healing. God speaks on the pages of our life through what we write on the pages of our journals, and He brings insight, peace, and transformation. Maybe I would hear al that.
Love you so much.
Lynn
Well, you’ve changed my life with your experience, prophetic gift and way with words. Thank you for being your authentic, generous, kind-hearted self. I appreciate your candor here Lynn. And the call from St. Louis last weekend, that was a God thing too. xx
Oh, and how I appreciate *you*, dearest Shelly! Thank you. And I loved our talk!!! Balm to my soul.
xxoo
Deidra!! Thank you for mentoring Shelly and many of us authors and for mentoring souls to healing and oneness. So lovely that you have given Shelly a way to share here about her book!
Love
Lynn
I totally agree with being still and listening for God to speak, direct or impress something on my heart. To answer Shelly’s question: God reminds me that “He has got this.”
Me too Cathy! Almost daily because I often forget. Love seeing you here. xx
I so needed this. Gotta get a copy of this timely book!
I hope Rhythms of Rest is a blessing to you Erin!
Shelly, I’m in my 60’s and about ten years ago the Lord impressed upon me the necessity of REST. Turning the noise off. I’m learning and although I have a constant humming of Tinnitus I am better at resting. Being quiet and in His presence. We tend to create “more noise” by turning on music, even when it is GOOD music – for me I prefer complete quiet then I can hear His still small voice – and it seems He always has something to say to me! 🙂
I can really relate to all that you’ve said Susan. I prefer pure quiet too. I love to listen for His voice because like you, He always has something to say that brings hope, comfort, healing, and purpose.
I am praying for discernment on a ministry decision. I feel like God is telling me to do it but I have not had time/ peace to meditate and listen to what God really wants. Praying that I can turn off the noise or God can just speak a little louder to me:( I would love to read your book! Love your blog!
Thank you Melissa. I’m praying with you right now — for clarity, for courage to quiet and listen, for a bravehearted yes to whatever it is that He has next for you. I hope you win!
I’ve seen these truths as I have read Jeremiah over the last few weeks. God was trying to get his people to come back to him during perilous times. They refused—at least most refused. But the great prophet was listening. He was so convinced that God was good and was in control that he bought a field that had an invading army sitting on it. The book of Hebrews says we must “strive to rest”—an oxymoron? These are the days when we must dig deep to find the “Still Small Voice” above all the banter. He’s speaking. I’m listening.
Hold on to the truth that there is a future and a hope. It is not my responsibility to solve it all but I need to turn my face to God and watch His majesty. In the face of losing my job yesterday I can choose to trust Him and turn to Him for peace and comfort or I can sink into despair and worry. I slept better when I chose His peace.
If we ever craved sabbath rest, peace of heart and mind and body, it would be right about now. If we ever needed to pray, ‘Thy will be done,’ this would be the time, this would be the place.
Lord, have mercy.
Such a beautiful, wise, and timely post. I am most grateful for the “quiet” the Lord has been providing me lately. I feel like He is saying for me to stay content for He has purposed this to shelter me and for my own good. Not easy. I LOVED Shelly’s book and if I win a copy, this one would be a gift. And a lovely one at that 🙂 Blessings!
I’m thankful for the truth of God’s Word, because otherwise, I would have no way of answering your question, because the noise of life drowns out His words that say:
“You’re enough, already.”
Nothing I can do or write or clean or cook or organize is going to make me any more worthy of God’s love and acceptance than I already am. Most days I can’t hear those words until I look at Truth with my eyes.
such a peaceful and beautiful place to be able to come to rest.
It’s kindness that leads to repentance.
Slow down, be still, know ME.
Grateful for this post and your book!
I think God might be saying to me that even though I do not understand the course my life has taken, He is still good, He is still in control, and He still has a purpose for me. I’m sure He would tell me that I need to wait on Him, as well.
Just be obedient and stop trying to be in control! This was what I gleaned when I WAS still and quiet! This book looks great!!!
To realize I don’t know everyone’s story. There is more than meets the eye. I can hear when I am still.
I feel He’s saying ” Be still and Know that I am God” and has been saying this for quite a while !
These days the voice that at times I so desperately want to hear is found in scripture. It answers the why with a “trust me”.
To not worry and rest!
To stay, plant gardens in this season I’m in, lean in, dig in, and watch.
To worry less and trust more.
What could God be saying that I’m not hearing over the noise?? So many things that are too numerous to tell — mainly, though, is that I am making this life about what I think or hope to do for Him — and I truly can only do that when my focus is on true worship — in spirit and in truth — towards Our Father.
Don’t worry about your plans, I’ve got your future all settled. Relax! Trust me! I’ve got it all!
Peace, be still.