In the Quiet
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
ME: Why can’t my life be peaceful and quiet?
JESUS: You have never sincerely made friends with quiet.
ME: What are You saying? I don’t understand You sometimes.
JESUS: You tend to fill your days with activities that crowd out quiet.
ME: But my activities are what pay the bills and I am still active which keeps me young. Ok, I am at least younger in my mind.
JESUS: My precious child, you are so busy some days that you cannot find quiet. You seek what I have to offer but you don’t recognize it because you are going way too fast. You are on an express train and I appear only as a flashing billboard as your train roars past Me.
ME: I confess that I want an abundant life but there are times when thoughts of today spill over into yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s uncertainty. Then I board my fast train and take off. I feel so uncomfortable in myself that I just go—with no particular destination in mind.
JESUS: Listen, I am Quiet! Yet, you avoid Me. I am here for you. Yet, you don’t quite trust Me. I am all you need. Yet, you wonder if there is still more. What can I do to help you fully trust Me?
ME: Maybe I am thick-headed or stubborn. I want to fully trust You but I always seem to have questions.
JESUS: Why don’t you bring them to Me. We can spend quiet time together. You will need to make time to do this task. You must seek Me with all your heart. Trust Me, I will be there.
ME: Okay, but I already have a question. Where is this place that we will meet?
JESUS: My curious child, just come and I will show you. When you see a magnificent sunrise, a remote pond that is full of life, a single flower, I will be there with you. You can find Me anytime. You do not need a special time or place. Close your eyes and feel My loving, quiet Presence.
ME: You are in the quiet of each day?
JESUS: Yes, you will find Me. I promise that I will meet you there.
Better Is One Day in Your Courts
Photograph: Michael Johnston