By Quiet Waters

**In honor of “Random Acts of Poetry Day” being celebrated on the first Wednesday of October, this poem (and some backstory), influenced by the Twenty-Third Psalm and my “Silent September.”**

“He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”

(Psalm 23:2, 3)

In late August, I heard the Lord whisper–

“You need a season of silence.”

That’s when I realized. I would put into practice what I called “Silent September.”

After the first week of the new month–having already committed to helping several friends with book launches and miscellaneous other “support” projects requiring a social media presence–I fell silent on Facebook as well as on my personal website.

Little did I know so much was about to happen, that which would otherwise have had me “vocal,” using my voice through written messages to speak my mind–even with love–about the chaos all around.

But what was about to take place was no surprise to God, of course, and He’d been the One to whisper–

“You need a season of silence.”

“But God, there are things to say. Messages to share. Thoughts to circulate,” I argued. “And You’ve called me to be a herald–to write, then share Your messages.”

“You need a season of silence.”

Hmm. He seemed serious.

And so, since God hadn’t let me off the hook, rather than dishonor my commitment in order to promote my various perspectives–not to mention, get carried away by the plethora of other voices–I turned to prayer.

Yes, to silence.

*****

“By Quiet Waters”

 

When all the world was in chaos and my heart felt overwhelmed,

I obeyed, then sat in silence, heard from the One who helps;

It’s Him who whispered to my heart–

“Come rest by quiet waters.”

 

When voices all around me shout, the dissonance is loud,

I’ll come to lay in pastures green and there, the only sound–

His voice, the One who calls,

“Come rest by quiet waters.”

 

The darkness seems to overcome the light and all looks gray;

My heart within me pounds with grief, but then I hear Him say–

“You’re not alone, my precious Lamb…

“Come rest by quiet waters.”

 

“But what if this…?” Or, “What if that…?” come my questions spilling out.

His still small voice is patient with, “That’s what this is all about…

“A season for silence that you might learn as you…

“Come rest by quiet waters.”

 

And once again, I hold my tongue and choose to trust instead;

Despite the evil I’m certain is there, I seek to protect my head

With the helmet of salvation as I

Come rest by quiet waters.

 

My thoughts in check, my mind at ease, I close my eyes and smile;

I’ve found that silence is my friend, not something to revile.

For in its covering I’m at peace as I

Come rest by quiet waters.

 

“And what have you learned,” my Shepherd asks, “From this season set aside?

“Was it to keep you away to harm you? Or allow you in Me to abide?

“Because never forget just why I say,

“Come rest by quiet waters.”

 

Ironically then, He was silent, giving me time to ponder;

The season of silence held purpose, with no words that might cause me to wander.

After all, the Good Shepherd restores our souls when we

Come rest by quiet waters.

 

And so, when all the world’s in chaos and our hearts feel overwhelmed,

Let’s first commit to sit in silence, hear from the One who helps;

Yes, it’s Him who whispers to our hearts–

“Come rest by quiet waters.”

 

To restore our souls, fill us up with Him–that’s the Good Shepherd’s plan,

All for His glory and, too, for our good but also to benefit man,

So we might impart to each who will hear

“Come rest by quiet waters.”

Amen.

*****

To Ponder:

• Has God ever called you to a season of silence? Was it difficult? Explain.
• What difference might it make if we chose to be silent–even for a brief moment–before speaking, especially if our words are being fueled by frustration, anger, or fear?
• What does the Bible say about guarding our tongues and choosing our words carefully? (Read Psalm 141:3; Proverbs 13:3, 17:27, 18:21, 21:23; Matthew 12:36, 15:11; Ephesians 4:29; James 1:19, 1:26, 3:5-6, 8.)
• Consider taking a sabbatical from noise to experience what Psalm 46:10 encourages.

Father, in our loud, dissonant world–that which attempts to gain our full attention–help us focus on You instead. In Your presence, we find peace and joy. Filled with Your Spirit, we can face the world with courage, sharing words of hope to break any barrier, spreading seeds of truth rooted in Your Word. And may it be so!

This post includes links to the following songs, as well as these fellow Inspire A Fire bloggers:

• Audrey Assad’s “I Shall Not Want”
• Leanna Crawford’s “Still Waters”
• Keith Green’s “The Lord is My Shepherd”
• Diana Flegal and Norma Gail