“We refuse to turn off our computers, turn off our phone, log off Facebook, and just sit in silence, because in those moments we might actually have to face up to who we really are. We fear silence like it’s an invisible monster, gnawing at us, ripping us open, and showing us our dissatisfaction. Silence is terrifying.” -Jefferson Bethke, Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough
This month my team is in a village called Kampong Chhnang. We’re living with a pastor and his family in the middle of nowhere, and because it’s the hottest month of the year in Cambodia, people don’t do much. Village life in general is extremely laid back. People nap several times a day, only work a few hours until the extreme heat hits, leave when they feel like it, time just isn’t really a thing, especially compared to the States. We go to a church and do a VBS for two hours a day and work with the kids of the village, but other than that, we rest. We spend time with the Lord, we have intentional conversations with each other, we process the last 8 months, and we don’t have distractions.
It’s the complete opposite of the States. This month I read Jesus > Religion, and the quote above really hit me, especially in my life in the States. We constantly have distractions and we never, ever have to sit in silence. Between Facebook, instagram, texting, email, snapchat, all the different useless apps, we never have to sit in silence. We always have a way to contact somebody when we don’t want to listen to what our souls are begging to tell us. I think about how stressful life is in the USA and how it’s always go, go, go. If you’re not doing something, you’re being “lazy”. And that’s just not the case. We’re called to rest and spend time with the Lord.
One of the best parts about being in the village is the simplicity. There’s barely electricity, no running water, it’s so peaceful, and there’s no wifi. Because of this, we have so much time for reflection, and space to hear God speak. When was the last time you sat in silence and just listened to what the Lord had to tell you? I rarely did this before the race. I didn’t intentionally set apart time to listen to him except for at church during worship, and that was about it. What kind of relationship do you have if you’re the only one ever talking, never listening to the other person? That’s how it is with God. It’s a one sided relationship if you do all the talking and never listen to what He has to say.
There are so many things I’m excited to bring back with me from this year when I get home, and setting apart time to sit in silence is one of them. It’s so easy to avoid dealing with emotions, hurt, shame, those “secret” sins, dissatisfaction, etc if we never stop to think about them. But here’s the problem: one day, you will have to face them. It’s inevitable, and until then, you’re lying to God, yourself, and to the people around you. Why not sit with God and talk them out, heal from them, and become the person He’s created you to be instead? Sounds like a pretty good deal, if you ask me!
I’ll be the first to tell you looking inwardly and letting God rip out the things inside that aren’t from Him is hard. In fact, it’s probably one of the most painful and humbling processes I’ve ever been through (and continue to go through). But I know it’ll be worth it, and I know it’ll be worth it for you, too. The coolest part about inviting him to heal those places in your soul is that once you do, He’ll fill those places with more of Him. God is so good.
I challenge you to put down the phone, turn off the music, step away from the computer, and just listen. You’ll be amazed at the things He will tell you when you let Him. And if you’re looking for a good read, Jesus > Religion is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! Check it out 🙂
God bless,
Jenna
