Silence——-peace——–solitude——–reflection ——tranquillity ……
Where are they ?
Lost in the world of technology : computers, I-pads and pods, televisions, radios, ear buds, telephones, security signals, buzzers ( stove, microwave, etc. ) , alarms, commercials, clocks, Zoom————–and electronics that I have no knowledge of.
There’s no going back. The days of enjoying our friends and family on the porch on a daily basis are gone. The days of reading a book , magazine, or newspaper in their original format are fast fading ( for too many ). The days of leaving the phone on the wall at home are gone. The days that home security was only locking our doors at night (if then) are gone. The days of having to remember.what time to remove the ham from the oven are gone. The days of having important, and, often critical , meetings in person are too often gone.
The days of quiet and tranquillity are gone………….
The noise factor is also symbolic of the activity level. All we see, all we hear, all we do are loud and busy and frantic. Very little slow dancing ( as in Fred Astaire ) ; very little relaxing music ( as in Nat King Cole ) ; very little face -to-face conversation without one party or the other responding to cell phone ; very little relaxing entertainment on TV, in the movies, or streaming. Very seldom are there times to simply sit quietly——even in our churches.
I don’t like extremes. I am a moderate through and through. And I would hope that there might be a time in my life that I would see some moderation in our lifestyles, such as :
…..more stillness ; less activity.
…..more quiet ; less noise.
…..more peace ; less angst.
…..more reflection ; less reaction.
…..more warmth ; less distance.
…..more love ; less hostility.
It has been said that silence is golden. But where is it ?
Moderation and balance : two anchors that are rarely used.
So true, Diane. I once preached a sermon using water skiing and snorkeling as metaphors for life. One requires speed, the other depth. Your call to strike a balance is duly noted.
Great sermon analogy. Thank you.
I remember teaching in school and thinking how different the atmosphere was during the summer months when students were mostly absent from the building. It was like a totally different world, so peaceful and soothing. Of course, you can’t have one without the other!
Well said ! And in the school setting, the quiet sometimes brings a sense of loneliness because it is unnatural. But in other settings it can be comforting. I like my morning silence…..
Quinn and I enjoy morning car rides church/daycare with no music on. She seems to prefer some peace and quiet too!
Good for her. As she grows older, it can become a sharing time for the two of you. She is precious.