“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (Prov 18:2).

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jer 33:3).

Silence in the presence of others is sweet salve to the soul. It is true refreshment, and I can’t experience it if I’m always trying to fill the in-between spaces of an otherwise good and leisurely talk with more content, more attention-grabbing insights, one more one-liner. And I do this with God too.

I have heard it said that virtually anyone can learn to press the piano keys in the correct sequence but that the true art of musicianship is in knowing how long to pause for the moments in between. Conversation is like that. And we aren’t treating our conversation as the art it can be if we oversaturate the air with words. Pressed for time, yet utterly convinced our ideas are so urgent, stellar, necessary, or hilarious—which mine are—we think we must rush to get it all in, or out: “Hello, God! Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. Before we get started, if I may quickly interject, I hope you come to see that I have some really good thoughts that should prove valuable for you to consider. Let me count the ways…blah, blah, blah…” Never am I more tired of myself than when I’ve got the “blah-blahs.”

Mercifully, there is an antidote. Back in the 17th century, Brother Lawrence, the Carmelite monk, wrote this great, timeless truth: “There is no mode of life in the world more pleasing and more full of delight than continual conversation with God.” I agree, Brother Lawrence. The kind where I do less talking and more savoring of the moments in between. 

I hope this encourages you to have a sweet and continual conversation with God today.

Kevin Murray
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