If you take away the noise, it gets real quiet. For sometime I have been considering a fast. Ever since one of my friends decided to fast in February. I got a bit jealous of all that dying to flesh. Hey, that “draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you” thing in James really is some pretty powerful advice.
A few weeks ago when I was confronted by my friend for interrupting a lot and having mediocre listening skills, I began to wonder if there was a way to fast talking. I could not actually find a way, and I was not sure it would actually be helpful to learning the skill of proper conversation and listening.
This morning as I was letting the dog in the backyard, I was talking to God about my inability to get past this hump. This whole “know God and be known by God” thing. I do not quite remember; but I was asking Him something about the stuff and noise that got in the way. I sort of answered my own question with a “You could take Chris out of the way.” I was listening to a podcast by a guy named Chris.
The idea seemed reasonable. I have also noticed in the last few weeks I have basically trained myself to be a poor listener by always having background noise that I half listen to as I do something else. I also use background noise to help me feel secure. So this morning at 10 am, I started a 40-day noise fast. No podcasts. Period. No music. Period. No videos or TV. Period. Except as corporate worship and as assigned in homework or as seen on Facebook to actually connect with people not pass time.
It has been a quiet day. But the void of noise does having me going to God. I also was actually excited to see people today. Largely to get away from the silence, I suppose. So that’s that. Here is to a silent night.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. – James 4:8-10
Comments