The world is loud. I just sat here in my office, with the windows open, in a quiet neighborhood, intentionally listening to background noise for 5 minutes. First, I heard hammering. Then an airplane, followed by a low-flying helicopter. And a car went by. Dogs began barking. Birds were chirping in the background, but then they were almost drowned out by a lawnmower starting.

During my young adult years, I lived in Boston, then New York City. That cacophony of constant sound drove me crazy at first, but like everyone else, I eventually became mainly immune to it. But when my son was born, I moved to the country, where we could hear the crickets (even there, if I listened, I could hear the hum of distant interstate traffic.) But my best friend from the city came to visit me and complained about not being able to sleep due to lack of background city sounds!

So, with all this noise, and distractions we give ourselves to drown out the noise of life, such as headphones for our music and audiobooks, how can we possibly hear the most important sound of all, the voice of the Spirit?

When I became serious about pursuing my relationship with God, I tried various scenarios while searching for my perfect sanctuary where I could listen to that still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). I eventually realized I needed to create a garden; I could actively meditate on God’s glory in nature while tending my plants in a garden. And I could hear His whisper. Since then, no matter where I have lived, I have had both flower and vegetable gardens.

When I moved here, I dug up literally dozens of plants I had nurtured while conversing with God over the years in my previous house and brought them with me! Jim thought I was crazy, especially since I moved to an apartment with no area for much of a garden. Ha! I planted them in his yard, which was almost completely lawn at the time. (God had already told me I would marry Jim, so I knew I could plan a garden there.) It is my yard now too (See?!), and it is mainly ever-growing gardens, where I spend much time praying, meditating on His word, and listening.

Do you unplug? How often? When you unplug, is it intentional and mindful? Do you use this time to converse with God? Do you listen when He speaks through The Spirit? Or is the noise in your life so loud that you wouldn’t hear all the truth (John 16:13), even if the Spirit was speaking into your ear with a megaphone?

Today, I challenge you to increase your time in natural silence, meaning you do not need to create a vacuum void of sound, simply eliminate distracting noise such as Netflix, the kids yelling, and your music. Create a space in which you are comfortable, with a natural noise level that works for you. For my friend, it was the hum of the city; for me, it is my gardens. Spend time in this place learning to discern the voice of the spirit.

~Heather Kvaternik