“Anyone who thinks that his time is too valuable to spend keeping quiet will eventually have no time for God and his brother, but only for himself and his own follies.”
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
In our noisy, fast-paced world, silence can feel uncomfortable—or even wasteful. Yet when we refuse to slow down, to sit quietly in God’s presence or truly listen to another, we risk making an idol of our busyness. Our lives become centered on ourselves, leaving no room for the Spirit or for others. It is not God’s guidance that would lead us to a pace and posture in life that is rushed, impatient, and too busy for Him and others.
Jesus modeled the value of silence and solitude throughout His ministry. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). In those moments, He sought the Father’s presence, drawing strength and clarity for His mission, and modeled our indispensable need for communion with God. If the Son of God valued such time with frequency, how much more do we need it to reconnect with God and recalibrate our priorities?
Today, take a moment to pause. Be still before God. Embrace the quiet not as wasted time, but as holy ground where God can shape your heart and deepen your love for Him and for others.
Father, help me to follow Jesus’ example by setting aside time to withdraw and pray. Let my heart be quieted in Your presence and may that stillness overflow into love and patience for those around me. May my life not have so much noise that I cannot truly hear You and others. Amen.