First Be Quiet
In a world of constant change and decision-making, Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the importance of quietness and seeking God's guidance in our lives.
Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the importance of seeking quietness and solitude in the midst of life's hectic changes and decisions. She points to Jesus' example of intentionally withdrawing to be alone, even when needed by others. Elliot encourages holding decisions before God alone for at least forty-eight hours, seeking His counsel through prayer and silence. She suggests meditating on Psalms 86:11 as a guide to seek truth and follow God's path.
Text
Our hectic lives involve many changes, and changes require decisions, and decisions must often be made in the midst of a multitude of confusions. We run here and there asking advice. Often we make decisions without sufficient deliberation because we simply haven't time--or so we tell ourselves.
There is a marvelously helpful practice that we usually overlook. It is quietness. Notice how often in the gospels we find Jesus going away alone, even when people needed Him. He deliberately chose solitude. The more hectic our lives become, the more necessary is this quietness. When it is impossible to break away physically to a place of solitude for a day or so in order to think and pray over a hard decision, there is one thing which I think helps--do not speak about the decision to anyone but God for forty-eight hours at least. Just hold it before Him alone. Keep your mouth shut for two days. Pray. Listen. Seek his counsel.
Try this, too--sit before Him for fifteen consecutive minutes in silence, focusing your mind on the words of Psalm 86:11 (NEB), "Guide me, O Lord, that I may be true to thee and follow thy path."
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Quietness
- Practicing Quietness in Decision-Making
- Sitting in Silence
- Focus on God's guidance
- Use Psalm 86:11 as a guide
Key Quotes
“Guide me, O Lord, that I may be true to thee and follow thy path.” — Elisabeth Elliot
“Just hold it before Him alone. Keep your mouth shut for two days. Pray. Listen. Seek his counsel.” — Elisabeth Elliot
Application Points
- Practice quietness in your life by sitting in silence and praying for God's guidance.
- Avoid speaking about decisions to others and hold them before God for at least 48 hours.
- Use Psalm 86:11 as a guide to ensure you're following God's path.