Our Souls Yearn For Silence
Why is finding silence so hard?
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C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite authors and theologians, once wrote that “We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private.”
It sounds like a quote that could be from 2023, doesn’t it?
But Lewis, who died in 1963, actually wrote the words in his book The Weight of Glory, first published in 1942.
Think of all that has changed in our world since 1942. Lewis wrote those words during a time when the radio was the main form of media. He wrote those words before televisions became a common item in households; he wrote those words before cellphones, the internet, and social media.
Despite all the changes we’ve seen in the world, Lewis’ words still ring true 81 years later.
We are a world starved for silence.
Think about it—when do you actually have silence in your life?
When do you take time to listen to your own conscience?
We drown out silence by over-consuming and over-indulging in podcasts, television, social media, and news outlets. We quench our conscience—our true inner voice—by falling prey to workloads, meetings, and deadlines.
But silence is necessary for our souls. Our souls yearn for it.
Now, maybe you’re thinking that you’re different. I make room for silence, you think. There is plenty of silence in my own life.
I used to think that too. But when I really thought about it, I realized that I was unintentionally making very little room for silence in my own life.
I’ll give you a glimpse into my own daily routine to show you what I mean:
I wake up and begin the day by scrolling through my phone to see the notifications that have piled up during the night. A late night text from a friend, a comment that someone left on an old Instagram post, a few unnecessary emails.
I prepare for work, listening to music while I make breakfast and get dressed for the day.
I drive to work, listening to a podcast during my commute to catch up on current events.
