Have you ever just sat and wondered why there’s so much noise? Did you ever just seek out a moment of silence and hear everything in the world and feel like you can’t find a moment to hear yourself think?

With all of these wonderful things that modern technology has given us, they even need a moment to shut down; sometimes just a restart is all that you need. But the best machines have to be shut down from time to time.

I’m finding that we as humans need it most of all – just a momentary restart to be still, silent and recharge. Not sleeping (one of my favorite past times) – sitting still; silencing the world around you; no phone, laptop, music – just silence.

Silence can be a wonderful blessing. You can hear the sounds of the world around you. It could be something as simple as the birds in the trees outside of your window or the rattle of the wind in the trees.

The best thing we can listen for is the voice of GOD speaking to you. The time that I really hear HIS voice is during the quiet time in prayer.

Prayer should be an audible conversation with GOD and all through Scripture we’re called to share with HIM our requests and our hearts. Sometimes though it’s the quiet longings of our heart when talking out loud just doesn’t work. Personally, my prayers are best when I don’t put a lot of thought into it; when I’m talking to HIM like HE is sitting right next to me.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12

But sometimes, we need to stay still so we can hear the answers that HE can only give us in these times. That can happen in many ways, like just sitting on the deck and watching the sunrise or sunset; or kneeling in your prayer closet after talking with HIM to hear what HE has to say. It can even be in your car while you’re waiting for the kids to finish practice.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Mark 1:35

There are so many resources on the Internet to help you, but my favorite tools are my Bible, journal and pen. I read a few verses slowly and intentionally; then I start writing out my prayer. The quiet time just happens afterward…just sitting and enjoying what HE is saying.

I’ve been in my car on my way to the office or on the way home (some of my best praise times) and had the words hit me like a brick…once I park I meditate on the words and HE is with me. It’s such a wonderful time and in those moments I wonder why I don’t do it more often.

Then real life hits – the emails, calls, bills, schedule, groceries, appointments – it’s all important, but we let all that get in the way of GOD in our lives. We need to schedule our time with HIM just like we schedule time with our friends.

Whether it’s early in the morning; at night when the kids are in bed; your lunch break – make your appointment with GOD. You won’t regret it!