Summer is just around the corner. The weather in Colorado doesn’t reflect this fact, but summer is approaching according to the calendar. Bring on the sunshine!

As part of our summer routine, my co-workers and I prepare for the summer by creating work/ministry related goals that we will accomplish during these months before our big fall kick-off. This year, we were encouraged to take a break from our usual routine to touch base with God and then set our goals.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon in the quietness of the local library. Living in Colorado, this would have been a perfect opportunity to head to the mountains. But our weather has not cooperated. It’s been rainy and cold. Even snow close by. So I chose the library. And it was a great choice.

As I settled into my quiet area, I searched my Bible for verses of Scripture with the word quiet in them. There were several and I read, wrote and pondered each verse. Today I will share with you what I learned about God and myself in this quiet time.

Psalm 23:2 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” I won’t even venture to guess how many times I’ve read this verse and yet, I made a few observations and found some lessons to be learned in this last portion of this sentence.

God leads me or takes me to quiet. God knows that in our busyness, with all of our distractions that we need to settle into quiet. Problem is, we sometimes miss what He is doing and how He is leading us there. I’ve made the commitment to be mindful of His leading me to quiet.

Another gem I found was that God doesn’t lead us to the water or into the water but beside the quiet water. Perhaps spending a little time each day beside the quiet waters will keep us from having to go deep into the quiet water. Think of it as prevention instead of treatment. I’m finding it difficult to put this lesson into words. I pray you understand what I’m saying.

And finally, the word leads is an action word. It’s continual. It’s a journey. It’s a way of life. To be quiet. To find quiet. To put down all the devices that keep my mind occupied. This was an exciting lesson to be learned.

Isaiah 30:15 – “…in quietness and trust is your strength…” When we place our trust in God and spend time with Him in quietness, the fruit we can expect to produce are power, security, might, fortitude, durability, firmness, hardiness, resilience. I want that!

Isaiah 32:17 – “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” Where is peace found? In God’s righteousness. It is the product of righteousness. As we take on God’s righteousness, there will be peace in our hearts. And then, the effect (a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause) is quietness and confidence. Peace and quiet will go hand-in-hand when God’s righteousness is evident.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 – “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” There is a connection between prayer (for ourselves and others) and peace-filled, quiet lives. As we draw closer to God through our prayer time, we will find His Spirit moving within us to bring peace to our hearts and quiet to our soul.

1 Timothy 2:11 – “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.” This was interesting and it tells me that I need to spend more time in quiet with God. And then, there is the submission thing. There is a lot to read in the Bible about submission, but my full submission must be to God alone. That’s when God is able to teach me the most. I realized that I don’t spend enough time with God in quietness and full submission. My brain is always “on.” Note to self: allow God to lead me beside quiet waters!

1 Peter 3:4 – “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” There are times I’m quiet on the outside but on the inside, a tempest is raging. The lesson learned in this verse is for the tempest to be calmed. To allow God’s Spirit to quiet my spirit at all times. When He does, I feel closest to God. When He does, I find that I am a willing vessel to be used by God for His kingdom. And who wouldn’t want to be “of great worth in God’s sight?”

In the midst of my quiet time at the library, the power went off. For a brief few moments, it was completely quiet. That was pretty cool. Since I wasn’t connected to any electronic device, I was able to continue my quiet time with God. I was thankful that I had been led beside the quiet waters. I learned a few lessons along the way. And I got my goals written.

I pray that you will be able to spend some quiet time with Jesus beside the quiet waters today. Let me just say, you have to plan it. Chances are pretty good that it won’t just happen. Let’s plan to be intentional about our quiet time with God. Set it up. Make it happen. Just think of all the things God wants to teach you in those moments!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna