Embracing the Quiet

“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”- Richard Foster

We’re adjusting to daily life here in Kenya. Going to sleep when its dark and waking up when the sun comes up. Taking our time with people. Learning the language. In the morning, we head down the mountain to the clinic in Sondu. We plug in our phones, ipods, cameras, and computers so they can charge. We sit at the front and greet people as they wander inside. We dispense their medications and assist David with giving shots, taking blood pressures, and examining specimens under the microscope. Usually, we have a lesson on a tropical disease where we learn how to identify and treat things like malaria or typhoid. We also try to have our bible study at a time when the clinic isn’t busy. Studying Romans has produced an array of great conversations as each of us brings our own insight to the group.

Sometimes the clinic is busy with people seeking treatment, mostly for malaria or intestinal problems, but also for asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, and injuries. However, sometimes it is quiet in the clinic and we have time to just think.  I have found myself approaching all sorts of thoughts and ideas that I would usually just push away if I was at home. I’ve realized that I rarely give myself the opportunity to just be silent. Being away from America has made me realize that we are conditioned to crave social interaction and sensory input every minute of the day. I am guilty of watching tv, texting, and using the computer all at the same time. No wonder it is so difficult for us to spend time alone with God, just soaking in the silence. It is uncomfortable for us! The world trains us to seek after these over-stimulating things until they rule over us. But all good things take time, purposeful thought, and undivided attention.

I am challenging myself to really learn to sit and be silent before God, so that my thoughts will be more in tune to His. When a quiet moment comes up, I want to automatically turn to Him instead of my computer or phone. I want to embrace these times as the chance to pray to Him about the present instead of constantly planning for the future or daydreaming about the past. If we make use of the times of quietness in this way, to connect our hearts to His, how much more alive will every moment be! I know I don’t want to let half-lived moments slip by, but if we are constantly abiding in His presence, we can be assured that this will not happen.

“So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Corinthians 4: 18