December 16 • Quieting Yourself 

Quietness is not profitable, except to the soul. There is a great temptation to get distracted by the noise. The worries of our minds, the desires of our hearts, and the demands of the world want to be heard. Noise keeps us from hearing what is really happening, from focusing on what really matters. 

Quiet yourself. “I have calmed and quieted my soul.” [Psalm 131:1] Make this your prayer. Wanting nothing else, needing nothing else other than to know that peace is possible. Listening like this will enable you to hear the voice of the God who loves you. It will allow you to drown out everything that isn’t worth your attention.

“I don’t concern myself with things too great and marvelous for me.” [Psalm 131:2] There are problems you will never solve. There are opportunities that will take you nowhere. Do not worry about them now. Orient your heart away from the disorienting patterns of the world. These things will steal your peace if you let them. Start with a quiet heart and mind. Do the hard work of listening. Start with a quiet soul and see where that can take you. 

Hope in God. God will lead you and guide you. God promises to speak through the chaos, just as God did at the beginning.  Patient trust will steady you. And the clear voice of God will bring clarity to your soul.

 “Hope in God from this time forth and forevermore.” [Psalm 131:3]

“God will quiet you by his love.” [Zephaniah 3]