The traditional season of Lent has begun, a time of quietness, contemplation and repentance. In other words: truthfulness with oneself. How rare a thing that is in this “modern civilization” of ours. It’s also traditional to give up something for Lent, but perhaps the most important thing to give up is the noise that keep us from hearing the truth.
“Be still and know that I am God.” ~Psalm 46:10
“How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak.” ~Francois Fenelon*
“A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” ~Muhammad Ali
“If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you cannot tell it about other people.” ~Virginia Woolf
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” ~Blaise Pascal
“One of the greatest attacks of the enemy is to make you busy, to make you hurried, to make you noisy, to make you distracted…with so much noise and activity that there is no room for prayer, no room for being alone with God.” ~Paul Washer
“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” ~Rabindranath Tagore
“Therefore, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
~John 8:31-32
∞
*Thanks to Claire at Song Bird Songs for the quote that triggered this post.
Nice post 👌🤗
You so consistently come up with quotes that speak directly to me oh, I have wondered is it a neighborhood thing? JK. Sort of. Seriously, excellent post Mitch.
Thanks, Roo. Wishing you a blessed–and quiet–Lent.
I’ve been thinking about what to give up for Lent or what to do. Still no answers yet, but you make a very good point. Perhaps spending more time with the Father in His Word would be best! Excellent Thoughts!
Here’s to more time with the Father! Thanks, Valerie.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Marking their foreheads with ashes and then watching their eyes shine as they sang “Softly and Tenderly…” last night was incomparable grace. This continues the quiet journey. Thank you!
My pleasure, Martha.
Good points! “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” #exhibitA
Yep.
Mitch, love the quotes you used, especially Tagore.😎
john 33:56-07 call unto thee thou shall answer thee
verse 33 of the chapter you mention says bless it be thy nations
A timely observation you make about giving up noise that keeps us from hearing the truth. I recently began Priscilla Schirer’s Bible study, Discerning the Voice of God. I’m going to copy the Francois Fenelon quote inside the front cover. Always appreciate your quote selections, Mitch!
Thanks and blessings, Nancy.
I particularly like the Pascal and Washer quotes.
“the most important thing to give up is the noise that keep us from hearing the truth.”
because “the truth will set you free”
Oh so very true. Just reading the quotes brings a sense of peace.
Wonderful words. Our church decided to do Lent a little differently. Still incorporating the traditional truths but adding a Lenten purpose – To be centered with Christ by giving up an emotional baggage, as in worry. Things that interfere with that closeness needed in re-centering with Christ.
Facebook is not just a noisy space but adds to the noise in my head which is why it is one of the things I have given up for Lent.
Wise. I suspect many others have done so, as well, Averyl.
So true. The noise of this world often drowns our our ability to hear God. Great post.
Thank you.
One of the most beautiful posts about Lent I’ve seen recently! I love what you said that ” (…) the most important thing to give up is the noise that keep us from hearing the truth” YES! Absolutely!
Reblogged this on Kalisi Knows and commented:
One of my favorite blogs about Lent.
Thank, I’m honored.
It’s BEAUTIFUL!