Take a moment to slowly read these verses: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1,2).

Do you see the deer? Do you see yourself? Can you picture your Lord with his arms open, asking you to sit with him and breathe in his peace so that you are refreshed by his perspective?

We live in a raucous world. Noise can become a security blanket of sorts to protect, distract, and entertain us—day and night. Silence becomes uncomfortable. But immersed in sound, we won’t hear what the noise drowns out—the call to enter into the quiet to be refreshed by God. 

In another section of Scripture, we hear God’s tremendous invitation: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live” (Isaiah 55:1-3).

Father, thank you for the invitation to rest. By your Spirit, help us see where noise needs to be supplanted by quiet. Give us grace to change our ways. Amen.