Called to Quiet Peace

I recently read a poem that I really wanted to share with you.

When the barista asks if you want room, say yes. This summer, leave room, and not just in your coffee, leave a little room in your day, your head, your heart. “It was a delight to sit alone by the water, wandering hours on the shore, every little leaf and flower, thoughts of God and heaven.” – Elizabeth Ann Seton

After reading this poem, I have one question: Do you know how to leave room? Sometimes, I find myself getting overwhelmed by a to-do list that never seems to end, and responsibilities that I’m required to address. When I get into this mindset, my internal dialogue often becomes, “I can’t… I don’t want to… Why is there always something to do?… I don’t have the capacity…” The list of these thoughts can go on and on. During moments like this, it becomes easy to get stuck in my head and honestly, stuck doing nothing at all. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you simply did nothing? It’s a dangerous and discouraging place to be. 

This poem truly resonated with me, not just because I love leaving room in my coffee for whipped cream, but because I genuinely believe in the importance of having margin in my life and daily routine. I crave a little margin that allows me to wander and experience the wonders around me. It’s about taking a stroll to notice things I usually overlook, slowing down for intimate conversations, or even dedicating time to write and reflect on my days while enjoying a beautiful scenic view.

Sometimes, when you have a lot of work, it’s easy to forget that rest and margin are essential. You might reach a point where you no longer recognize that the slow, beautifully mundane moments in life are what make work worthwhile. I don’t live to work, and I don’t exist just to complete tasks. God has called me to live a life that is abundant!

Could it be that an abundant life is truly found and realized through the little things? Consider the brief conversation you had with a stranger, the small flower you picked up on your walk home, or the cozy coffee shop you chose to work in. There is something incredibly rich about these little moments. In the details of life, we begin to discover how intricately God engages with every aspect of our existence. He has designed everything with such purpose and care. I know you have planned your days and are busy with your to-do list, but can you pause for a moment and simply live?

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10

It’s possible that your understanding of God has been limited because you refuse to be still. God calls us to stillness and recognizing the value in the little things is part of it. 

A scripture that’s a blueprint of our faith and Christian living is 1 Thessalonians 4:11, which says, “and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you.” 

Here are two questions for you to reflect on: How am I living? Is my life too loud?

I believe we can all agree that life is generally noisy. There are countless voices vying for our attention, from social media and podcasts to advertisements, family, friends, and even our own thoughts. Everyone has something to say, which isn’t always a bad thing. However, the endless voices and confusion can cause us to lose sight of the most important voice.

God called us to embrace quiet because He understood that we best hear His voice in stillness. We live in a generation that craves radical encounters and hype moments. It's interesting because, while we seek noise and action, many people struggle to find peace. Yet, peace is quiet. It is a bold stillness. You know when it’s present, and you can easily recognize when it’s gone. Peace is as subtle as a whisper. So, where has your peace gone? Have you lost your sense of peace to the noise of life? Has your busyness, or the fast pace of your days, made it feel impossible to experience stillness, quiet, and peace? 

“Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” – 1 Kings 19:11-13

In the context of this scripture, Elijah, a great prophet in the Bible, was fleeing from Jezebel, who was threatening to kill him. At that moment, God spoke to him and instructed him to stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence. The Lord passed by Elijah not in magnificent displays like a mighty wind, earthquake, or fire, but quietly. God whispered softly to Elijah and asked him a question.

I believe many of us find ourselves in God’s presence, distracted by the loud events in our lives, thinking those events are how God is speaking to us. While it’s true that God can use life circumstances to communicate, could it be that, in this season, God is not appearing as fire or wind? Might He be coming to us as a soft whisper? Is it possible that life has become too noisy for you to hear God's whispers?

Like Elijah, God is asking many of us, “What are you doing here?” We have often ignored His whispers and guidance, leading us to feel overwhelmed, confused, and broken as we run away from life's problems and the noise around us. 

When God asked Elijah this question, it was multifaceted. It wasn’t just about his geographical location; it was also about his state of mind, his understanding of God’s calling on his life, and a confrontation he needed to face. I want to pose the same question God asked Elijah to all of you reading this: What are you doing here? What is your mindset? What are you doing with your business? What are you doing in that relationship? To answer these questions, you first need to understand where “here” actually is. We all find ourselves somewhere, but not everyone is in the place God has called them to be. What have you been running from? What continually prevents you from living the peaceful, quiet life God has intended for you? What has disrupted your sense of peace?

Shortly after God gave Elijah instructions on the mountain, he encountered his successor, Elisha. With this meeting, Elijah gained a trusted companion, providing him with the support he needed. He no longer had to carry the burden alone. I believe when we slow down to listen, God supplies us with help. I know it may feel like it, but you don’t have to do it all alone. God will never call you for something that isn't bigger than you. Whenever God asks something of us, He always supplies everything we need, orchestrating it in a way that brings lasting peace into our lives. 

Your running has disturbed your peace. The noise has drowned out your quiet. The voices coming from everywhere at all times have made the voice of God feel nonexistent. Here’s a truth you should hold onto, just because things have been this way doesn’t mean they have to remain the same! God is still speaking through quiet whispers. He continues to provide help, particularly through the peace-dealing Holy Spirit. Our hope is found in Christ alone. We can face tomorrow with joy and hope because we know that God is on our side. We’re never alone, nor are we without help. But you have to slow down. You have to keep quiet. You have to wait and listen in. 

I want you to find a place of stillness, whether it’s by your bedside, in a park, by the shore, or at the altar, and ask some questions, first to yourself and then to God. Be sure to have a notebook and pen handy to journal the responses.

• Ask Yourself: What am I doing here? Am I where God instructed me to be? What does it look like for me to leave room for wonder in my everyday life?

• Ask God: What have you been telling me that I’ve missed? What voices or noises in my life do I need to get rid of? How can I live a life that pleases you, even on the busiest days?

There are many moments when the greatest enemy to our relationship with God isn’t Satan, but our busyness. Sometimes, our packed schedules, our need to be on-the-go, and our constant hustle and bustle cause us to neglect our first love, which is Jesus Christ. I want you to know that God has called you to quietness. As believers, we are meant to embrace stillness and peace. Today, and every day of your life, I encourage you to tap into the sovereignty of God that is present in quiet moments. Listen to what He is saying, and take the time to understand. Perhaps the miracle you have been seeking will be found in His gentle whisper.