The Discipline of Quietness

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“One day within your courts excels a thousand spent away” is the way one of our very beautiful hymns paraphrases Psalm 84, verse 9. Now, it may seem strange to cite this with the suspension of worship still in force (for good reason). But it is a Psalm appointed for this month – part of the good news – so I will hold before us two lessons (suggestions?) worth pondering.

First, during this long time-out from our customary patterns, let’s acknowledge that we will never be mistaken for Quakers in our worship – Quakers who sit in silence for long periods – because our worship is very wordy. Some might say too wordy: three Bible passages and a Psalm, four hymns, a sermon, and that all before a couple hundred words in our Eucharistic prayers. Over Christmas a relative told me she had pulled back from church – not from Jesus, not from faith – because it was all ‘too wordy.’ Her contemplative personality may account for this to a degree. But each of us is meant to have a contemplative dimension to our lives. Be still and know that I am God. My soul in silence waits for the Lord. These examples from the Psalms are for all of us, not just for those of a certain temperament.

God willing, we will return to corporate worship together before too long. And this year-long absence will have taught us just how wonderful praising God in His courts is. Together. That’s a lesson of appreciation we won’t miss, and probably have learned already. But let’s not lose sight of another other opportunity: to grow in the daily discipline of placing ourselves quietly in the presence of God. In the courtyard of quiet listening, silent praise, and communion one-to-one.