The Sounds of Silence

The Sounds of Silence

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 NIV

Do you enjoy the sounds of silence? Do you regularly find times of silence when you just listen? I understand that we live in a loud world. Unless you have a cabin in the mountains of Montana, most of us will hear traffic noises, the sounds of aircraft above us, and the sounds of neighbors around us. Admittedly, it’s hard to find anywhere that’s quiet.

Beginning October 1, Millie and I started walking a mile each day to raise money for Eden Village of Harrisburg, a non-profit initiative creating a secure tiny-home community for neighbors who are chronically unhoused. “32 Miles for 32 Homes” is helping to raise funds to build the tiny-houses for the homeless people of Harrisburg. Except for this past Sunday’s torrential rains, Millie and I have been able to walk at least a mile each day together.

I love talking with my dear wife, but little Millie, our 11-pound Havanese puppy, walks with me in silence and allows us to listen to the sounds around us. If we walk in the late evening or early morning, we hear crickets chirping. During the day we hear the rustle of the breeze in the changing leaves. We often hear the sound of Route 81 as the trucks and crotch-rockets rip down its long stretches of concrete and asphalt. But because neither Millie nor I talk, we’re also able to hear God speak to us and we have the opportunity to exalt Him as we walk together.

My friend, let me encourage you to find a quiet place today. Perhaps it’ll be a chair away from the activity of the rest of your family. Finding your quiet place might mean turning off the TV, pausing the music pumping from your Alexa devices, or pulling those ear buds out for a few minutes. But however you find a few minutes of quiet, take that time to be still, know that God is with you, and exalt Him with a few words of praise. Spending a brief time alone in silence with the Lord each day as you listen to the sounds of silence will go a long way in giving you peace in the midst of a loud world.

Thank you for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God or regularly watch our Facebook live feed, consider reading Matthew 22:15-22 to get ready to worship with us this coming Sunday, October 18 as Pastor Dale shares some good news from God’s Word for you.

 

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

Pastor Dale

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife find joy in serving the Mt. Laurel Church of God [www.mtlaurelcog.org]. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else, too. Feel free to share this email with anyone you choose. And if for some reason, you'd like to stop receiving PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send me an email (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.