For all of my fellow Type A personalities out there, this devotional is going to drive you nuts.
Instead of a structured flow from one thought to the next, or a growing argument to show or prove a point, this devotional will merely be a list – a collection.
You will have to decide what to do with this collection; the power of these words of wisdom will not be in the reading, but in the pudding (I think “putting” might work here as well, actually).
To make matters “worse” for my loud, extroverted, go-getter friends, the theme of this devotional is quiet.
Oh wow, yeah – that sounds suuuuuuuuuuuper fun. Great choice.
It will be! But you must practice what you’re reading.
You must be quiet – not necessarily silent, nor talked over, not anything like that.
(Don’t worry just yet. There will be some guided questions to reflect on at the end – you won’t be completely left to your own devices!)
Use the following passages to piece together what God would have for you in the way of quietness.
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. (Proverbs 11:12)
Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end. (Proverbs 29:11)
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7)
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)
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19)
Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:10-12)
- What role does quiet play in your life? Is quietness/quiet time currently a priority for you?
- What potential benefits could you find by reducing excess noise and introducing more intentional quiet in your daily routine?
- Whether or not you are physically being quiet, what activities bring about the most calming, peaceful times in your life? On the other hand, what activities bring about the most stressful, hurried times in your life? Are any of these things within your control to change?