When I think of silence I think about the absence of audible sounds. For me, to be in silence means I have no radio, podcast or television blaring in my ears. I have removed any opportunity for people to interrupt my silence with conversations, questions or other intrusions.
That type of silence is something I find less and less, as I have a 9 month old daughter. As far as 9 month old childrend go, she is a pretty quiet. She is good at entertaining herself. However, I always prefer being present with her than being in silence.
When I get an opportunity to have silence, it is more than likely that other 'noise' interrupts my solitude. Those interruptions most likely come from my phone. The notifications from different apps. The constant pull of social media apps saying that something is important and critical, requiring attention.
In a self-assessment, I pretend to have discipline in such areas as social media engagement. I deleted my Facebook account years ago. I stopped using and deleted Instagram long ago. Even though I've tried to remove the social media platforms that thrive on content from people I know have shared, I find myself scrolling content of those I do not know on X.
What is the latest Husker news? What does the feed say about the latest AI developments. What news story is breaking?
All of that noise is crippling loud.
So there are hours where I can sit in a space with no sound, while at the same time be completely consumed by the noise.
And let me pretend that I am successful at keeping the social chatter at bay, with no audible noise to interrupt, I am often left with the chaos that my mind can create out of thin air.
This experience has been described in so many ways: anxiety, stress, being busy, planning for tomorrow, and memories are just a few of the ways I explain them. When the lack of noise gets too comfortable, I find moments of the past to rehash, or expectations of the future to worry about.
A busy mind becomes a mind that is easily lost. The distracted mind is one that can no longer find purpose.
If we get to build a relationship with Jesus in silence. If God reveals Himself to us in silence. Then there is no wonder that even with the best intentions, it becomes challenging to ever truly listen to what it being said.
Our souls need space to breathe. The spirit needs opportunity to speak. We need silence to listen.