Quiet

Quiet is not necessarily the absence of sound, but rather the absence of distractions. It is the ability to be single-minded and focused rather than scattered. Quiet is the sound of birds singing, rather than people screaming; the sound of a heartbeat rather than applause. Quiet flows from intention and rarely receives attention.

When I teach musical rests to my students, the definition we use is “a beat (or beats) of silence.” The beat does not stop and the sound of silence observed properly is just as important in music as the notes which sound. Dancers also learn that the pause or “breath” is just as important as the movement.

I am quite interested in the introverted church. Who are we overlooking at present because they are not extroverted? Much of church culture is geared towards the loud and high-energy, which is simply not every person. When did contemplative practices and people fall by the wayside and why?

Sister and brother with quiet gifts that are unseen, I see you. I see your ability to sit in the pain of another. I see those of you with gifts of prayer which alter courses of life. I see you love others with your gift of listening.

We have a lot to learn from the quiet among us if those of us who move fast and loud will pause. Take a beat. Our world is moving along as it is often in large part because of these—just as musical scores move along with the important rests therein—and they have much to teach us. Notice who is quiet today. Observe their life and maybe ask them to tell you more—when they are ready. It is my experience that my quiet friends have rich inner worlds and I benefit greatly from hearing them when they are ready to share them. I pray Romans 12 over our churches and communities this morning. May we look around at one another and encourage each other in our gifts. Particularly those with the quiet gifts.

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This post was written for a 5-day writing challenge with Hope Writers

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