A Jar of River Water
At a transforming moment in her life, Ruth Haley Barton was told: “You are like a jar of river water all shaken up. What you need is to sit still long enough that the sediment can settle and the water can become clear” (Invitation to Solitude and Silence, p. 29). Ruth is now a spiritual director, teacher and author who invites others into the presence of God.
In some ways, I am not a noise-needing person. I don’t have a stream of music entering my ears while I read; I don’t need the television on in the background of the rest of life. Even so, there is a noise inside me – present even on my early morning walks and as I’m falling asleep at night – a noise that is not unlike stirred up river water. Time and again, I need to hear the call, the invitation, to silence… so that the sediment can settle and I can see more clearly and hear more clearly the love and the voice of the Shepherd.
This past Saturday, several discerners gathered at Calvin Seminary for a Discerning Your Calling conversation. I included 30 minutes of silence in the five hour event. As I read through the evaluations of the event, it became clear that the silence was a very important part of the retreat – and that the participants wanted even more. More silence. More solitude. Even if we don’t take the initiative to carve out a time of silence in our daily spiritual walk, we crave it! And when we get a taste, we want more.
How has silence played a role in your search for truth and for God?
I was one of those at the discernment conference
who greatly appreciated the time to let the silt settle
and listen quietly for 30 minutes
such a long time, yet too short.
I was challenged
not to want to escape to reading
not to want to escape to writing
not to want to escape to praying
but to just being still and listening.
And I heard very little
But I felt a peace and longing for His voice
There was in essence a question
What took you so long?
To be still and know that I am God.
To wait upon Me so as to renew strength.
I have been here in the silence
What took you so long?
to come to Me
so I could give you rest.
so I could give you life.
And He has repeatedly called me back
To His side in the silence
To listening
For His voice.
Thank you for introducing me to silence
A way back to God’s side, rest, strength and life.
Dalene