The Power of Quiet

The world rewards busyness. But heaven values stillness.

When you're always on the go- always in hustle mode- you miss the message of God. He doesn't always shout. He doesn't always interrupt. Sometimes he waits. 

Psalm 46: 10 doesn't say hustle and know, it says be still.

In the silence clarity comes, conviction comes, comfort comes.

Being a business owner means being busy and if you are not busy today, you will be extra busy tomorrow. It can be so difficult to find time for stillness and if I do find it, I feel guilty about it, because I know there are many other "more productive" things I can be doing. But Jesus does not view quiet this way, in fact, it was his most valuable tool.

Lately, life has been so busy. It's back to school season in the barbershop, my little brother just started his senior year, which means every weekend will be full of high school football for the foreseeable future, its peak season for community events, and I am in the middle of expanding my team. On top of all of that I am trying to balance relationships, friendships, the gym, and my own home. There are only so many hours in the day, it is so easy to get caught up in taking care of everything else, you forget to take care of yourself!

Recently I read Mark's account of Jesus feeding the five thousand. What stuck out to me the most was Jesus taking his disciples away to a quiet place. They had just finished teaching and preforming miracles inside of the city, the people wanted more of them; more teachings, more healing, more of the holy spirit. Jesus and the disciples had given so much of themselves, they had not stopped to rest or to eat. So, Jesus took them away, to a quiet place, where the world could not follow them. He let them rest, eat, and simply be quiet, so they could recharge before performing yet another amazing miracle.

This wasn't the first time Jesus went away to be in the quiet. Throughout the New Testament there is a very strong, yet often overlooked pattern of Jesus. Before he made any decision, before he performed miracles, before he taught, and before he died on the cross, he would spend hours, sometimes even days, somewhere far away from the rest of the world so he could talk to his father. I think there is such an important lesson to be learned here. Even the Son of God needed to recharge and go to his father for direction. Jesus knew that to properly pour into those around him, he needed to take the time to be poured into.

Most of us don't have days, or even hours to spend away in quiet, but we all have an hour that we can dedicate to just be quiet, ask questions, and listen. because if we are not taking time to take care of ourselves, how can we properly take care of others?

In my home, I cleared a corner and dedicated it to be a place that I can go to be quiet. I filled it with devotionals, study bibles, and everything else I need to be able to listen to whatever God is speaking to me that day. It has become one of the most special places in my home, a place that I can get away from the rest of the world, sometimes just for a few minutes, to be with God. And let me tell you something, it has totally changed my life. I find myself way less stressed about big decisions, way more able to give 100% of my efforts to my business, clients, and those around me, and generally filled with more peace.

It is so easy to get caught up into the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially while also running a business, managing an office, raising a family, or transitioning from school to your professional career. Don't forget to pour into your own soul in the chaos of pouring into everyone around you. I challenge you to find ten minutes a day; whether it be at home, in the car, in the office, or even at the gym, and let yourself be quiet enough to hear God's voice. You will be surprised at how loudly he will show up for you.