In the Silence

Years ago a quirky little movie debuted named, "Short Circuit". The story line centered around an alien who lands here on earth from outer space. His appetite at learning about the things of the world around him became voracious. Everywhere he went he could be heard repeating, "Input, input". His quest for knowledge was never-ending.

I was thinking about this little alien this week and how that many of us are remarkably like him. Most of us wake in the morning to the annoying, obtrusive buzz of the alarm clock, grab the newspaper, wake up the one-eyed monster (that would be the TV, not your kid), fire up the computer, check the headlines, weather report, latest news on the entertainment scene and the stock market report. THEN, we rush to the car for the trek to work. The first thing we do is turn the radio on, and it stays that way until we get to the office, or wherever we all go. All day long our senses are screaming, "Input, input". Five o'clock rolls around and off we go in reverse order of how we started the day: radio, home to the computer, the TV, finish the newspaper, more TV, then off to bed - only to get up and do it all over all again, tomorrow.

What happened to the art of silence - that empty space where all we do is think? Why is it that we feel that every waking minute MUST be filled with something? How many times have we intentionally turned off all outer stimuli to simply have nothing coming into our ears and minds?

Here's a challenge: For one day this week, for however long it takes you to get to work, turn off the radio, mp3 player, whatever, and think - about God, your life, your kids, your future, a problem you might be facing, a plan for the day - anything. I find that it is in these on-purpose, proactive moments of silence that I sometimes get my best ideas and solutions to challenges. It's also a great way to spend time with Your Maker, in prayer - just don't close your eyes if you're driving.

You never know what hidden gems for life often lie in the simplicity of a few moments of silence. As Mikey, or somebody who used to be on TV used to say, "Try it, you'll like it".