Embracing Stillness
A Journey Into Silence and Presence
On a warm Saturday—a welcome break from the long, dreary cold season—I made a spontaneous decision to step away from my seminary studies and go for a walk under the fair, sunlit sky. With no plan or agenda, I wandered onto one of Sewanee’s nature trails, a part of the beautiful Cumberland Plateau I had yet to explore. As I walked, I continued my prayerful journey, soaking in the beauty of the trail.
As I moved deeper into the path, I stumbled upon the Labyrinth—a serene, circular path designed for contemplation and prayer, leading step by step toward the center. The tranquility of the Labyrinth was undeniable. A sense of calm washed over me as I began my contemplative walk, feeling each step become a prayer in itself.
I eventually reached a cliff overlooking the vast valley below, facing southwest. From there, the view of the Cumberland Plateau’s rugged cliffs stretched parallel to the vanishing point, an awe-inspiring sight that seemed to draw me into something greater.
So, I sat in stillness, contemplating with God.
Encountering God in the Sheer Silence
In the depth of the silence, I found a surprising sense of comfort. Not a single sound—like a dead space. I know this kind of silence unsettles some, but for me, it was familiar. I grew up with complete stillness every night before bed. Yet, experiencing it in broad daylight felt different. It carried a weight, a presence.
You might be surprised—God does whisper in sheer, absolute silence, in the void—even when the world is noisy.
Does that sound familiar? Yup, in Genesis 1:2.
As I sat in the stillness, the gentle winds caressed my face, the sunlight warmed my skin, and everything around me seemed to come alive—brighter, more vibrant. There was a tangible energy in the silence, resonating from the winds and the Earth. The winds moved the trees, creating a rhythm and melody that reverberated through the ground. At that moment, I felt the power of God moving through His creation.
I was fully present—allowing Him to move through me, experiencing His creation through the very flesh He had formed.
Silence as a Gift: Disconnecting to Reconnect
Having absolutely no mind chatter—no inner noise—was bliss.
Mind chatter is that constant stream of thoughts, the inner dialogue that fills our minds. Many people turn to soft music or guided meditation to help them center themselves in prayer. But for me, I would rather disconnect my cochlear implant and embrace the silence fully.
As the liturgical season of Lent begins, this could be a perfect time to practice Centering Prayer—a way to quiet the mind, silence the inner noise, and draw closer to God. There are many resources online or in the library on how to begin. For the next 40 days, why not make space for silence?
God is always speaking. The question is—are we willing to listen? Are we willing to embrace the silence and be in union with Him?
Did this reflection speak to you? Share it with someone who might need a moment of stillness, a reminder to listen, or an invitation to draw closer to God. Let’s journey together!