Quiet, Please!

Over the next month, most of us will have some time off of work and school—time to spend at our own leisure with friends and family. By default and without intentionality, many will “rest” by spending hours watching television and movies, mastering the newest video games, surfing all over the World Wide Web, or listening to newly downloaded music on their I-pods. Not one of these activities is inherently wrong, assuming the content is acceptable. Technology is amoral—neither good nor bad in itself. We have liberty to enjoy or abstain from these forms of entertainment. However, this is not to say we should be careless in our use of “free time” and in our entertainment choices. We are to be “filled with (or, ‘controlled by’) the Spirit” and must consider how we can wisely live to the glory of God in this modern electronic-era.

I recently read the following article from columnist Erik Lokkesmoe on the townhall.com website, entitled “A Kingdom of Noise: A Screwtape Letter for the Media Age.” He makes an addendum to C.S. Lewis’ classic work, The Screwtape Letters, to speak to our world of mass communication. In 1942, Lewis wrote The Screwtape Letters as an ironic book of letters between a senior devil (Screwtape) and his undisciplined pupil (Wormwood) on the techniques and tactics for pestering the Enemy (God) and beguiling his followers. It is a novel approach to showing the creativity the devil employs to trip up God’s people and would be an excellent follow-up read for those who studied Precious Remedies for Satan’s Devices (Thomas Brooks) with us this past summer.

My Dear Despicable Wormwood,

Good news! The latest commendations have arrived from the Council of the Pit. You impress the lower-downs, my zealous Wormwood. They have heard of your schemes on the Noise Proliferation Committee (NPC). Indeed, places of solitude and moments of silence grow ever more scarce in the Enemy's vast and vulgar dominion. Oh, what euphoria to see his insufferable creatures rush to fill the dead air with a cacophony of cell phones and music, leaf blowers and manipulated car exhaust pipes, 24-hour news and I-Pods. Those nauseating humans cannot escape their self-made dungeon of din!

My pride bubbles like brimstone, Wormwood. It is down-wrong delicious that you are able to entice your assignments into believing that quiet and solitude are a waste of time, even harmful to their pursuits. We must be the demon in the whirlwind, invading their private space, cluttering their innermost being with commotion.

Make them feel empty without a Blackberry on their hip or a television blaring in the background. Tune their alarm clock to a raucous station with bombastic DJs. Call their cell phone on their way to work or during a meal. Put TV screens in banks and hotel lobbies, gas stations and airplanes - anywhere humans might have time to reflect. Offer deals to Walt Disney World and casinos, and make a weekend in the Catskills appear unexciting or at least unaffordable. Over time the humans will grow unaware of the high-pitched ringing in their ears.

But oh, how dreadful it is if they do notice and, worse yet, begin to reject the delightful opiates we offer. An hour’s walk or an evening alone can be hazardous. Even a drive with a broken radio carries risk. Peace and quietude, after all, are the Enemy's handiwork. He waits patiently for them in the stillness, whispering for them to rest or ponder or, dare I say that repulsive word, meditate.

I trust you understand what is at stake. If allowed to contemplate the empty pursuits and hollow activity that often fill their days, there is no telling what horrific changes they may make in their lives. As long as the volume is high and the lights are flashing, there is little danger of this. But when allowed to face things as they really are, stripped of the comfort provided by our dizzying distractions, our subjects often choose against our ways.

This kind of activity, or rather inactivity, is a breeding ground for all manner of destructive outcomes. Rest gives them refreshed bodies and clear minds. Clarity draws them to that which we most hate: truth. In such moments their vision grows strong and purpose is rekindled. For Hell’s sake, do not let this happen!

Some devils say it is of lesser importance, but I would advise you to keep all thoughts of old friendships, childhood dreams, or yearnings for simple delights far from them. These are the noxious things of the kingdom of peace; we are the kingdom of noise.

So hurry! Cue the fire engine, the beeping pager, the woman calling for a cab. Cause the head to turn, the eyes to wander, and the mind to work overtime. Even in times of silence, cause their minds to fill and spin like a tornado. If necessary, you may even need to bring forward some of the Enemy’s tools to achieve our ends. Use a good cause to keep the schedule jam-packed. Beautiful music, grating as it is to our ears, chases the silence away same as any other sound.

Given the stakes, you must do whatever it takes to keep quietude at bay. Remember, do not grow weary in doing bad.

Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape

I do not want to be a scrooge and condemn the enjoyment of all forms of entertainment and technology. I hope you are able to take pleasure in watching a good movie, seeing “your” football team play in a big game, or listening to great music at a concert. But as Christians we must consider how we might do “all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31)—that includes making the most of every bit of leisure time God allows us. Please do not squander away those rare moments to be still and enjoy quietude. I am not suggesting that you become a monastic navel-gazer, but that you creatively look for opportunities to have quiet conversations with family, read by the fire, take a walk outside in the cool air, or put pen to paper and write in a journal. Read the 4th-6th resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and consider how you might exercise similar tenacity in your devotion to God over this holiday.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

May we exercise godly wisdom in the use of our precious spare time over the Christmas holiday.

Justin Culbertson
Berachah Bible Church