What I am learning about quietness of spirit

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

Isaiah 30:15 (NIV).

Hello there, how is it going? The past week was finals week for me and that was a total package to say the least but hey, we made it! Praise God! Let’s take a dip into what I am learning about quietness of spirit. The month of May has been quite a difficult one for me personally, and May 8 was the first Mother’s Day without my dear mum. Although we have not been physically together since 2018 after I left for grad school, knowing she is not on this side with me hurts so much. By the grace of God, I believe without doubt that she is wholly healed and resting with the good Lord. The pain of physical separation from mum is indelible but the great thing is we will meet again in Heaven!

Her life in this world ended on a beautiful note! She left as a soldier in Christ, praise God! So instead of being sad every Mother’s Day, I hope to reflect on the virtues she modeled to me in her lifetime and write about them as a tradition every Mother’s Day.  

Quietness of spirit.

This is among the values I have always admired about her and now I am praying to God to help build in me. My mother had a certain calm around her which became even more pronounced in the events surrounding her last days. She was grounded in Christ, and she taught me (and my siblings) what it means to have Jesus as the anchor of our lives. The world is full of noise and wherever we turn to there will always be some form of distraction, the ability to tune things out and focus on what really matters is a strength that is not often talked about.  This is not yoga, or some fitness meditation. I am learning that quietness of Spirit is spiritual and can only be attained with the grace of God and in a place of discipline. Quietness of the spirit stems from the fruits of the Spirit. The fruits we bear as Christians sprout from our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we are growing in our daily walk with Him. The outcome become apparent and undeniable, and they become part of our lives and our testimony.

How to build quietness of spirit?

I think the subtitle sounds a little odd too and can’t think of another at the moment, but you may scratch it and entitle it the way you feel right. I think quietness of spirit is not something we build but becomes a part of us as we take more time to receive from God and submit to what He is teaching us. That way, overtime it accumulates and becomes a deep state that is beyond human perception of what being quiet is.

1. Spend more time in meditation of God’s word

Our character will continue to be pruned as we keep learning at the feet of Jesus. As we read and meditate on God’s words, we grow, we become stronger, we mature into the image of Christ just like babies and the developmental stages they go through. At some point we all required milk physically and spiritually and at certain points we are weaned and get on meat. The more we feed our minds with the word of Spirit, we ruminate on things, and we realize there is a bunch of noise we don’t need. The word of God will feed your soul and refresh it when you need a time out which is always. The promises of God become an assurance of what is to come when you need a better perspective of things. When you space out, where do you go? Having the words of God to hold onto serve as a stability in an unstable world.

“We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!” 

(Reference: We Have an Anchor | Hymnary.org)

2. Walk the talk or talk the talk

Quietness has nothing to do with our temperament.  An out-going, loquacious, sociable person could still maintain a quiet spirit. I had to string together all the adjectives that may not be associated with quietness to cite an example of why quietness is an inside-out virtue. It is a spiritual space where you connect with God. My mom taught me as early as in middle school how I could be in class and tune out to pray. She was teaching me how to still maximize my time of prayer and fasting even when I am busy. She said, talk to God from your heart, you don’t have to close your eyes in class or while busy, just communicate and connect and He will hear you. Attaining quietness of spirit may not necessarily involve getting away from social media completely (Although, it may be needed in some cases). Social media is a huge part of our generation and the grace to censor how much we take in or interact with is a prayer.

3. Sanction your thoughts

 The analogy of a bird on its nest in the middle of a storm to represent tranquility will always be precious to me. “Peace is not the absence of chaos. It is the presence of tranquility and joy in the midst of chaos.” ― Debasish Mridha. Whoever this author is, I hope he found the one true, divine peace from Jesus Christ because this is one great quote! In the past months, God saved me from myself in moments of deep grief by prompting me to start checking my thoughts and carve out a peaceful niche for myself. I am learning that quietness of spirit is a wonderful space which is divinely fueled with who we are in Christ and what He says about us. The thoughts you carry around you are powerful and out of it flows the issues of life.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

4. Home alone

Anyone remember the classic Christmas movie, Home Alone? Haha.. People are afraid to be alone and the thought of withdrawing and spend some time alone is scary to many. Everyone strive to stay relevant (I mean, don’t we all?). There are certain things, assignments, messages, calling God would like to communicate with us which we can’t learn when we are overwhelmed with a lot of company around. We may need to take a step back to get to listen. We don’t have to jump on every trend and fad of our time, in fact we can’t afford to do that. There is something beyond that. Our true identity and validation comes from God whether we are known by humans or not. The precious time we spend with ourselves, and creator reaches inward to define you and that contribute towards quietness of spirit. We are loved and totally known by God. Don’t be afraid to just be!

My journey to learning about quietness of spirit continues and I can’t say how long it takes to get there, it may take a lifetime. I ask for the grace to keep learning and yielding to His will as the Savior keeps working on me. The world may see this virtue as a sign of weakness in some form, but it is actually a strength that transcends what you feel on good and bad days. Everyone should ask for it from the Lord!

Special note: Would you give your life to Jesus Christ? He is the way, the truth and the life. If yes, please pray the prayers below:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your death and resurrection for the salvation of my soul. Please forgive all my sins. I choose you today to follow and to obey. May your love and the holy spirit lead and guide my purpose for your glory. Thank you, my Lord and savior. Amen!

Grace and blessings,

Olushola.

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