You know that moment of silence in a group…it’s a bit uncomfortable and everyone is waiting for SOMEONE to break the ice? I’m not fully convinced that silence is even comfortable with herself. It’s not the same alone. Sometimes I crave silence. Silence from TV, radio, people, the voice (sometimes voices) in my head, all of it. What I’ve found the past couple of days I am a bit hypersensitive to noise.
The past couple of days the building has been SCREAMING. It doesn’t just purr in activity, it screams in silence. It is making this horrible noise at JUST the right frequency to fill my ears and head. I asked other people if they heard it and so far…nada! I was beginning to feel embarrassed by this auditory ‘spirit’ until I realized it may just be God trying to reach me.
I’m sitting here typing. Let me describe the noises surrounding me. There is the computer hum, the heater vent (can you believe the heater kicks on every night even on days it’s going to be 92 degrees), the birds outside my window, my desk creaking, my own steady breathing, the building creaking and settling (at least that’s what they tell me). I hear an airplane outside. I hear traffic on the freeway outside this building. I hear wind outside. I’m beginning to think I hear the Taos Hum.
If you’re unfamiliar with it, Google it and you’ll find 44,500 hits for the Taos Hum. I’ve included a few links just for your amusement and wonderment.
http://amasci.com/hum/hum1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taos_Hum
http://www.subversiveelement.com/TaosHum.html
There is this ‘phenomenon’ in New Mexico called the Taos Hum. I don’t know how old it is, but when I first moved to Albuquerque in 1995, it was one of the first legends I was told about. This low pitched “hum” that is audible to some and not to others. I don’t think I ever heard it…until now. There are even clubs for people who do in fact hear it. I don’t scoff at these folks because we all know our reality is just that…OUR reality. Who am I to tell a person what they do and don’t hear? It may be God trying to reach them.
Again I digress…there are all these noises around me and it invariably it makes me think of Jesus’ desire and NEED to go and pray by himself. I think of how valuable our own silence is in communing with Him. It is in the times I can become truly quiet externally and internally that I truly hear Him. Don’t get me wrong, He can shout above whatever noisy distraction I have going, but He prefers my seeking Him in silence. He likes my attention and I like the reward of His words and wisdom.
Take a few moments today and truly get quiet and see what you hear over the computer humming, the kids playing, the dishwasher running and even Taos humming. When I did this morning I not only heard the Lord speaking, but I felt more clarity and peace surrounding me.
What do you feel/hear in your silence?
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5 comments:
It is amazing the amount of noise a building can generate. Computers, appliances, even lights. I, too, try to seek a very quiet place when I pray. Distractions make it very difficult not only to hear Him, but to hear myself. I'd probably go nuts if I lived in Taos. If there is a noise there, I would here it. God bless you, Ken
I have this happen on almost a monthly basis but it is associated with my migraines. I think I can empathize with what you are going through. Everything gets really loud. My ENT said "I can't make you hear softer" It was my neurologist who figured it out. Not that you are going to have a migraine but I am aware of what you are talking about. That is all I was trying to say.
Hmmm ... right now, I'm at work, and I hear the hum of the air system, the copier/printer running, someone opening and closing and opening and closing and opening and closing a three-ring binder (I WISH THEY'D STOP ALREADY!), I hear someones computer beeping at them that an email just arrived, I hear keyboards clicking, I hear a weird man next to me saying WHHO-AAHHH (ex-military and very annoying) ...
At night ... when I'm in bed and it's really quiet, I hear the fan whirring, I hear background sounds that sound almost like music playing (am I crazy?), I hear my husband SNORING (ugh!)...
But when I'm by myself, and praying, I can her the Lord assuring me, loving me. Telling me I am his beloved.
If we want to HEAR from God, we need to take the time to be still, quiet, and listen!
Thanks for sharing this post. Excellent stuff!!!
Here is a thought. I am blessed to work with people who are deaf. Some are profoundly deaf I have to tell them even when the bell rings for passing in classes. Some aren't quite as severe. It has trained me to block out noise most the time but when I hear things I am grateful that I can hear as well. My cousin who is Deaf believes that since Jesus was closest to God in his quiet times when he went off to pray without interuptions that when we go to Heaven people will be Deaf there as well and so they can have the peace that comes in her silence. I know the Bible talks about healing the Deaf and Blind but she doesn't think she needs to be healed and I can tel you there are many times I have thought deafness wouln't be all bad. However, I am quickly reminded Deaf people don't have noise through their ears but they have visual noise surrounding their language (still they can close there eyes closing my ears only causes noises that my kids make to become louder..MOM CAN'T YOU HEAR ME???) still you get the idea. I thought her perspective was interesting and insightful and it broaden my span of thinking.
In my silence right now I hear my new puppy wanting off the bed, my tummy growling because they messed up my lunch order today, the computer keyboard clicking when I type and I feel delighted that no one wants anything from me at this moment.
Long response sorry about that.
I've heard of the Taos Hum. I lived in Albuquerque for 2 years and did some work in Taos during that time. Crazy, but fun place!
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