30 times 2 - Silence

I worship in various ways, depending on the day, the weather, my mood, the time.


Often I worship at night sitting in a chair under the stars and moon, snuggled in a blanket, talking to God.


Sometimes I worship on the top of a mountain with a gorgious view, talking to God.


Most mornings I worship at the breakfast table. Yes, I admit it. I eat and read at the same time. And I talk to God.


I worship through music by singing out songs while blow drying my hair, while driving, while showering. I listen to Christian radio and CD's and worship while harmonizing with whoever is singing.


I worship by writing verses that have been meaningful to me on index cards and posting them on my cubicle walls at the office. As I work, I repeat the verse that I posted for that day or week. Some verses become so meaningful that they are posted indefinitely.

I worship by praying. On me knees. At my desk. In my car.


I worship by reading books that dig deep and force me to ponder and think about something other than the economy and the price of gas. BY THE WAY---- Have you read The Shack? (by William Young). It has been my most recent life-changing read. I was a little reserved about bringing up this book. Depending on what your beliefs are, certain parts of this book may clash with your theology. If you can read with an open mind and set aside those parts that may be "clashing", the treasures to be found in this thought-provoking book are well worth the investment of your time.


If you're not getting this, I will be transparent. I believe that God does use sheep from many folds to bring us to our knees.

This week I have been deep in thought about how much my worship to God involves me. It's really all about me.

And I began to wonder--does God even have a chance of reaching through to me? With all my reading, singing, praying, sermon listening ways--when is it His turn? When do I give Him the opportunity to make His voice known?

I realize that I am never silent. Oh yes, I can sit silently and you may think that nothing is going on with me. But more than likely, I am composing a grocery list, a chore list, fuming about some injustice I have encountered, planning my next day's schedule, and on and on and on.

So today, I am making a commitment to take this verse literally:

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

I am committing to sitting for 30 minutes every day and doing nothing except allowing myself to be available to God.

No soft music playing in the background.

No Bible in my hand.

No prayer from my lips.

I already know this is impossible for me.

I will become distracted in the first sixty seconds. My thoughts will be all over the place. At the very least, I will be wanting to petition God for some need that I have. My eyes will see something that needs my attention. Work thoughts will invade my space.

I will want to talk to Him, instead of waiting for Him to talk to me.

And so, before I begin my thirty minutes of silence, I will pray that God will place a wall of angels around me to prevent Satan from interfering. I will expect Him to do that.

And then I will wait.

It may take a day. It may take a week. It may take a month.

I may want to give up and go back to my old ways. But by posting this publicly, I am making a commitment and allowing my friends to hold me accountable.

I believe--I wholeheartedly believe--that if I stay commited, eventually the clatter and chatter in my head will clear, and God will make Himself known. And I will recognize His voice.

30 times 2?

This doesn't negate the fact that my participating in worship to God is important. The singing, Bible reading, sermon listening, praying part of worship still needs to be an important part of my life. God does want to hear from me!

So during another part of my day, I will continue to commit 30 minutes to active Bible reading, praying worship.


"Be still and know that I am God"

Would you like to join me? As time passes, I will come back and add my own comments to this post sharing with you my experience. I will also share my failures. Keep it real.