Sometimes God Speaks in the Silence
The other day, I was lying on our living room floor doing my yoga stretches and PT exercises when I heard a faint screeching sound coming from the fireplace.
At first, I couldn’t place it. Then, all of a sudden, I knew exactly what it was.
Back in the late 1990s, I was a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and over the years we cared for all kinds of injured and orphaned animals—including chimney swifts. I’d heard those tiny cries many times before.
A storm blew the cap off our chimney a few years ago, and, apparently, a pair of chimney swifts decided it would make the perfect nursery. For the next few weeks, we’ll have some very tiny guests.
As I lay there listening, another thought crossed my mind. The only reason I heard them at all was because the house was quiet.
The television wasn’t on. There wasn’t music playing in the background. I wasn’t scrolling through my phone or listening to a podcast. There was nothing competing for my attention.
If any of those things had been happening, I probably would have missed those little voices altogether.
Isn’t that a lot like our relationship with God? Not because God isn’t speaking, but because there is so much noise.
We fill nearly every quiet moment. We turn on the television while we fold laundry. We listen to something while we drive. We check our phones while we wait in line. Even when we’re alone, we often surround ourselves with sound.
I wonder how many gentle whispers from God we never hear because our lives are simply too loud.
When Elijah encountered God, He wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. He came in a gentle whisper. A whisper isn’t meant to compete with noise. It invites us to become quiet.
Maybe that’s one reason Jesus so often withdrew to lonely places to pray. He intentionally stepped away from the crowds and the distractions so He could spend uninterrupted time with His Father.
Those tiny chimney swifts reminded me that some things can only be heard when everything else grows quiet.
This week, maybe we don’t need to add another podcast or another television show. Maybe we just need ten quiet minutes.
Turn everything off. Sit on the porch. Listen to the birds. Open your Bible. Pray. And then…just be still.
You might be surprised by what you’ve been missing.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I’m the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I’m passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to help others care well for their health and the bodies God has given us. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
July 22, 2026 Morning Brew
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