Elect Lady's Corner

Sometimes, the most scariest place to be in, is when you don’t hear quietness. If you’re in bed and everything is quiet, you’re fine. But the moment you hear noise or something unfamiliar moving around, you become concerned or fearful, wondering what is that noise. Maybe you’re at the office alone or in your room and all of a sudden you hear something strange; you immediately stop what you’re doing, and you listen for quietness to make sure that was not you over thinking. 

Even with our appliances, we expect them to run quietly and the moment we hear noises coming from them we become concerned. We are definitely concerned when we hear any unusual sounds from our automobiles and if we don’t hear a quiet smooth-running engine, we’re on our way to the mechanics. But let’s start first by defining “listen.” 

Listen means: “to give one’s attention to sound; to make an effort to hear something; to be alert and ready to hear something; to take notice of and act on what someone says; or to respond to advice or a request.” That’s when you’re really listening for quietness! But what does quietness mean? Quietness means: “absence of noise or bustle; calm; abstaining from speech.” It’s hard to talk and be listening at the same time! So, you may wonder how does listening for quietness apply to us in the spiritual realm? 

Well, the subject came to me when I thought about the story of the Prophet Elijah. I Kings chapter 19 records the conversation of Elijah and God as Elijah hid in a cave while running from the evil Queen Jezebel. V. 9-10, 18 says: “And he (Elijah) came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 

Then the Lord replied unto the Elijah in v.18 saying: “Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which hath not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” We must always remember that God will always have a remnant that will stand for Him! Many times, in life, we need a word or answer from the Lord, but it will not always come in a thunderous voice or demonstrative visitation but sometimes in the still quiet voice, as we calm down and listen for God’s voice or His will.

David said in Psalm 46:10: “Be still (or be quiet), and know that I am God…” Also, Isaiah 30:15b says: “…in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength …” But don’t be afraid to come to God for fear of rejection or unworthiness because Jesus said in St John 6:37: “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” 

Lastly, in the physical realm, it is said quietness is beneficial to your health in several ways: “1) It lowers blood pressure 2) It improves concentration and focus 3) It calms racing thoughts 4) It stimulates brain growth 5) It reduces cortisol 6) It stimulates creativity 7) It improves insomnia and 8) It encourages mindfulness.”  So, let’s find some quiet time to be alone with God and listen for His voice to lead us and guide us into the place of rest and fulfillment so we don’t have to fear.  

So, in conclusion, the Apostle Paul encourages us in I Thessalonians 4:11 (NIV) with these words: “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, you should mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you.”  

GOD BLESS!