Todays post is short and sweet. Light thoughts in a heavy world. It is also a collaboration of some good conversation between sweet sisters who shared a room with me at the retreat last weekend. For them I am grateful, for there was no judgement there.
I was walking along a quiet path today, enjoying a little sunshine after a morning session of Gods word and truth and fellowship at a women’s retreat. And as I was strolling along, I heard the strange and chaotic noises of a flock of geese nearby. It was disturbing honestly. The sounds were messy and aggressive and primal. My first thought was maybe they were attacking one of their own but then I realized that might be their everyday flock noise. A noise that sought to intrude on my quiet time. So rude. It got me thinking about what it would be like to live amongst a noisy crowd like that if you really wanted quiet. I know I would desperately seek out the farthest tree, the tallest branch, away from the pack. At least that is my inclination at this moment.
But I do actually live amongst a noisy crowd. This world. There is noise everywhere. Traffic, voices, birds and insects, a ton of heavy sounds. Even noise that does not make a sound but manages to clutter up the atmosphere- social media, information, to do lists.
As an introvert, loud disorganized noises are unsettling to me. They drain me. They can drown out anything good. Including the whispers of God. If you can relate, this post is specifically for you.
Yes, fellowship and community are both good and necessary. We are to engage with one another. We were designed to be in union with others. Thus, Eve. While for some people, extroverts, this community with others is their life source, their infusion of energy…a fountain from which they drink as if ravished. For them, quiet can be as unsettling and uncomfortable. I know these people too and sometimes envy their ability to stay the life of the party when I am ready to leave. You know them too. Party on sister extroverts!
For others of us though, we need a manageable dose of both. (My daughter Nerissa wrote a wonderful blogpost with another take on this, In the Name of Connection.) I do certainly need fellowship, but I also need quiet. Where some are fueled by the company of others, I can be drained. Where some find energy, I can find exhaustion. So a balance is needed for me and I could probably never live among a flock of noise polluting geese. I find myself craving alone after being with people. It is in that post-community space I am able to process things, down-shift my thoughts and commune with God. And I need quiet to hear Him clearly.
All this brings me to reflect on the many bible illustrations of people who spent time alone, often in prayer with the Father. Jesus foremost. There were many others who sought solitude; Moses, Mary, Joseph, Elijah, John. Jesus though, pursued intentional alone time even more often, and instructed others to do that as well. Time set apart, for the set apart, is good! I wonder if Moses would have heard God as clearly as he did and carved out the 10 commandments in a room full of noisy folks. I can’t imagine so.
I particularly love the story of Elijah. He was a great prophet who was out to get those who worshiped Baal and not God. He performed miracles and had received direct instructions from the Lord. At one point, Elijah became terrified that he was being sought for death by Jezebel. Long story short, in his panic when things got to be too much, he retreated to the hills and fell under a tree, alone, where he prayed to God. Elijah ended up wandering alone for 40 days, communing with God, and unplugging. It was during that time, when Elijah found silence in the world, that he heard the whisper of God telling him it was time to return. You have had your respite, I have spoken, now get back to work refreshed.
A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12.
You see y’all, God is in the quiet parts.
His voice was heard once the commotion stopped. We must listen for the whispers of God when the world, or the enemy, are screaming at us.
For the introverts reading, you are not alone. You are not being rude nor offending others in dismissing yourself early from the table. While isolation is not healthy, knowing when to draw your line in the sand is. God honors time spent alone with him. Time when we can put down our chores, release our addiction to distraction, lay down our to do lists, even decline an occasional phone call, and just be still. Disconnect to the world, reconnect to the Father.
Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, may you carve out a little piece of your schedule today to be still and be with God. Listen for that whisper, and let Him refuel and reenergize you.
Likewise, let's pay attention and recognize in others around us when they are in need of some time alone, and honor that well.
** photo courtesy of Hope Roberts @ Fort Bluff Camp, Dayton, Tennessee 2022
So, so good! My feelings are the same after being with a lot of people. Everyone needs time alone in quiet and perhaps God has designed us introverts to be the examples of that. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, Michelle. This was a wonderful read! I am extremely introverted but also do need my fellowship. This made me feel better about being easily overwhelmed by all the commotion and noise. Glad to know I’m not alone.
This is so good Michelle! Time set apart, for the set apart, IS good. It’s necessary. Sometimes it is easy for me to forget that and barrel onto the “next thing” without taking time to pause, breathe, wait.