The Sound of Silence

 

By Andrea Merrell

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 NKJV

I awoke to complete silence. A strange hush had covered the earth. No traffic. No birdsong. No barking dogs. No … nothing.

When I peeked out the window, I could hardly believe my eyes. I could not see the road in front of our house or the tires on our cars sitting in the driveway. The trees were completely blanketed in white.

I urged my husband to get dressed so we could go outside and explore before our kids woke up. Stepping out into that winter wonderland was like stepping into a fairy tale. Again, I was struck by the silence.

This happened over thirty years ago but remains fresh in my memories.

For those of you who live in the North, this is probably a commonplace occurrence but not for those of us in the South. We might occasionally get a few flurries, but this particular year, we got over fifteen inches. It took us three days to dig out of our driveway.

I’m sure that for those of you who are used to this scenario, life goes on as usual. Most northern states are well prepared for winter weather. But in my part of the South, the world shuts down. No school. No work. No errands. No social activities. Most people clean out the milk and bread aisles of the grocery store with even a tiny hint of snow. And while many love throwing snowballs, making snowmen, and sledding down hills, there are those of us who are content to stay inside by the fire and watch.

The sound of silence. Strange and uncommon to many, yet how often do we shut off the world and listen for that still, small voice? The voice of the One who loves us and died to give us eternal life and reconnect us with the Father. The One who longs to speak to us. To guide and direct us, making us aware of His peaceful presence.

Last week, we had snow. Only three or four inches as opposed to fifteen, but still amazing and beautiful. It reminded me once again that we occasionally need to stop, shut out the world, and listen for His voice. To enjoy His presence. To be thankful for every blessing He pours out.

Our Father says to us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Are you ready? Offer to Him the sound of silence, then be ready to hear Him speak.