Still Your Mind

28 Sep

“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”  ~ Lao Tzu

When we do a Taize prayer service at the parish, one of the opening refrains that is often used is “Be still and know that I am God.”  It’s a beautiful meditative piece that helps to silence the heart so as to open it up to God.

We spend way too much time in our lives being overwhelmed by the “noise” of the world.  It beckons and calls us in so many ways and, in the process, distracts us from the voice of God.  It is almost as if we do not want to hear God’s voice.  Have you ever seen someone try to be silent?  I have been on many silent retreats in the past, especially in the seminary.  I thought that some of my classmates — and, to be honest, I as well — were not going to make it.  The temptation to speak is really huge.

When one is silent, there is a whole new level that we hear.  We key in to the small noises around us such as the creaking of the floorboards, the hum of motors, and the like.  If we try to tune those out as we continue our silence, we might begin to hear God in the silence of our hearts.  That is both a profound experience as well as a frightening experience for some people.  Profound, because it draws us ever closer to God.  Frightening, because we are not used to hearing the voice of God.

And that is the real issue here.  Why are we not used to hearing the voice of God?  Frankly, we are not used to hearing God’s voice because we have tuned Him out by listening to all the voices of the world.  If we engage in silence, we have the opportunity to hear God.  Still your mind today and come to know the Lord, your God.

FAITH ACTION:  Spend some time in silence today so that you may give the Lord an opportunity to speak to your heart.