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“Be still and know
that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV).
I sat outside early one morning sipping my coffee and
listening as birds graced the air with their songs. The air was unusually cool
for a summer day and the breeze was refreshing. I watched a squirrel scurry
down a tree and investigate something on the ground. A small, green lizard
perched on the arm of my chair, its throat pulsating with orange. It stared at
me for a few moments before scampering away in search of an insect meal. God’s
creation was in symphony and my soul was at rest.
But as peaceful as this scene was there was still some
noise. The noise of nature is beautiful with the chirping birds and the gentle
wind blowing, but have you ever contemplated the benefit of total silence?
One of the instructors at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian
Writers Conference that I just returned from was Eva Marie Everson. I purchased
her book, The Third Path, Finding Intimacy with God on the Path of Questioning.
I had intended to buy this book months earlier, but you know how intentions
are, they don’t produce anything.
But I am glad I was finally in the place where this tome was
before me and I grabbed it, excited to find out about the third path. This journey
carries us through twenty-six questions God asked different people throughout
the Bible and the result of their answers.
The goal of this volume is to encourage us to get away with
God and experience total, complete silence. A quietness that is not disturbed by
even the squeak of a door or the tick of a clock.
Then listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
When the Lord tells us to be still and KNOW that He is God,
He is commanding us to put away everything else that gets in the way. We can find out more about our identity in Christ by KNOWING Him
in a way we never have before.
If you want to pursue a deeper relationship with God, I can
highly recommend this book to help you think deeply about who you are and what
the Lord means to you. You can find out the benefit of silence.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts.
Find out the benefit of silence through The Third Path by Eva Marie Everson (click to tweet)
Image courtesy of bess.hamiti@gmail.com
I was blessed to have Ms. Eva Marie sign my copy, and hope you did also. There's something about an author's signature and inscription that adds value to the book in my eyes anyway. I was also most blessed to be a part of this year's "Discovering Who You Are in Christ" practicum based on her book. What a soul-searching, eye-opening experience; one that every Christian writer should have. If you've not yet taken her course, please reach out to her and get your name on the list for next year. I cannot recommend this class enough. The relationships I formed with the other participants, as we shared our hearts with one another, are blessings I'll hold onto for eternity. Loved this post, as I always do, Ms. Barbara. Thank you and God's blessings ma'am.
ReplyDeleteI signed up for this class too late but really wanted to be part of it. I know your life was enriched. Thanks for sharing, J D. Blessings!
DeleteThank you Barbara. Being silent to hear from God before we tackle any project or situation is critical if we want to do things His way.. Thank you for sharing these thought and resource .
ReplyDeleteHearing from God is vital for our success in any project. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Blessings!
DeleteI treasure my time in the silence of nature, but as you point out, it isn't really quiet. But the noise of the wind, birds singing, or farm animals calling to one another are different than voices, traffic, or our phones chirping a text. Nature's sounds remind me of the creator who made us all and guides our steps. Eva Marie's book is awesome. Thank you for featuring it on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI know you have the opportunity for lots of time with nature, Katherine, and that you can enjoy God's creation. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, thanks for sharing. I want to take this class too! I've heard nothing but good things about it. Nothing stills me quite as much as being in nature. I was right there with you.
ReplyDeleteCandyce
Hopefully, we can make this class next time, Candyce. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
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ReplyDeleteWith people always coming and going in my household, quiet time is so precious to me. The practice of being with God in silence and meditating on an aspect of His character brings unbelievable refreshment not matter what life holds. Thanks for this recommendation, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteMeditating on God does bring a refreshment like no other. I really gleaned so much from this book. Thanks for sharing, Annie. Blessings!
DeleteBeing still and silent is certainly a discipline in our modern world. Thanks for the book recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and sharing, Debbie. Blessings!
DeleteI think many of us have forgotten to spend time in silence. The world is so full of noise that can block out the son. I went on a silent retreat once and found a profound connection with God. So I love your post Barbara. We must find quiet to spend with God
ReplyDeleteA silent retreat sounds like an eye opening experience. Thanks for sharing, Yvonne. Blessings!
DeleteThanks so much Barbara for the encouragement to get that book! I've also meant to for a while, but still haven't. I love the way you opened your post. Silence with God is a beautiful gift.
ReplyDeleteI know you will be encouraged by this book. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, I love this statement: "When the Lord tells us to be still and KNOW that He is God, He is commanding us to put away everything else that gets in the way." When I struggle to slow down and focus on Him in the middle of a busy day, I'm always glad I did. Mornings are easier, but being still to communicate with our heavenly Father throughout the day is important.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Jeannie. Communicating with our Father during the day certainly does make our daily routine more successful. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
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