Leonora Carrington, a female British-Mexican painter and novelist once remarked: "Dawn is the time when nothing breathes, the hour of silence. Everything is transfixed, only the light moves." Psalm 46:10 reminds us: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
In a metaphorical, but unwelcome sense, a "dawn of silence" is often viewed as the overture to a "winter of discontent." It is frequently described as the “lull before the storm.” It is the quiet, often unnerving, prelude to a period of intense activity or profound societal turmoil. Discontent is defined as dissatisfaction within one's circumstances, or a state of internal restlessness, irritation, or longing for something different than the present situation. A "winter of discontent" signifies a period of active, cold, and often bleak disruption. Its "dawn of silence" sometimes represents the moments of tense calm or uneasy stillness that precedes the chaos. On a converse note, it also appertains to the serene quietude just before sunrise. It marks a transitional, meditative, and tranquil new beginning to the day. It may represent a moment of deep reflection or a content start to life.
A quotidian life encompasses both dark and bright times. However, a "dawn of silence" bonds with God as a sacred space, a time of spiritual awakening, and a means of connection with Him. It symbolizes the quiet moment before understanding or the breaking of a new, transformative spiritual perspective. It represents a shift from worldly noise and disruption to inner stillness, allowing for a necessary communion with God, who is frequently described as the "friend of silence".
Silence creates its own doorway to a notable peace in the heart. Peace in the heart is a profound, internal state of calmness, happiness, and harmony that remains steady regardless of external circumstances or pressures. It represents a deep sense of emotional tranquility, often characterized by freedom from anxiety, chaos, and excessive desire. It is a spiritual and mental state rather than just an absence of conflict or activity. Silence acts as a profound opening to peace by providing a necessary sanctuary from the constant noise, digital distraction, and mental chatter of modern life. It functions not just as an absence of sound, but as an active, restorative condition that allows the nervous system to shift from a high-stress "fight-or-flight" mode to a calm "rest and digest" predicament.
In John 14:27, Jesus promises his disciples a deep, internal peace that differs from the world's version, urging them not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid despite upcoming trials. Peace in the heart is a profound form of internal peace, representing a focused, centered, and balanced state of being independent of external circumstances. It is often described as a stillness within, an emotional, spiritual, or mental freedom from conflict, which can be cultivated through mindfulness, meditation, and, self-compassion. This peace is rooted in trust, faith in God, and the assurance of His presence, overcoming external chaos. It reminds us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
In the Bible, silence is portrayed as a powerful tool for divine connection, trust, and reflection, rather than just an absence of noise. Key instances include Elijah finding God in a "gentle whisper" rather than a storm. The prophet Elijah, exhausted and afraid, seeks God on Mount Horeb. God manifests not in a massive, rock-breaking wind, an earthquake, or a fire, but in a "low”, or "gentle whisper". This profound silence signifies that God often speaks to the heart quietly rather than through times of chaos. It reminds us: “And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
Silence can be equated to a "garden of life." This metaphor highlights that silence is not merely an absence of sound or an empty void, but rather a fertile, active, and nurturing space where growth, creativity, and inner life can flourish. Just as a garden requires quiet, uninterrupted time for seeds to germinate and roots to grow, silence is the necessary environment for personal growth, deep thought, and the maturation of ideas. The "silence" or solitude of the early morning garden serves as a form of meditation, offering mental rest, stress relief, and a way to reconnect with nature. It provides a peaceful, "mini-vacation" from the noises of daily life.
A "dawn of silence," often interpreted as the intentional, tranquil moments at the beginning of a new day, helps foster a deeper connection with God by removing distractions, allowing for spiritual listening, prayer and fostering a sense of surrender and peace. It is considered a, if not the, primary way to experience personal communion (the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially on a mental or transcendent level.) with the divine, turning a noisy, distracted life into one rooted in a silent, but spiritual awareness.
"Dawn" is understood in spiritual and biblical contexts not as a separate entity creating life alongside God, but rather as a symbol of God's presence, action, and new beginnings. The dawn is described as a time when God brings light, salvation, and a fresh start, breaking through the darkness of life. The dawn symbolizes the "new creation" or rebirth that occurs through faith, where God renews strength and brings joy after a period of darkness or grief. Spiritual awareness involves recognizing one's true nature beyond the ego and connecting with a deeper reality. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French priest once remarked: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." .
Christian teaching frequently uses Exodus 14:5-14 as a metaphorical precursor to "life's storms." It depicts the Israelites trapped between Pharaoh’s pursuing army and the Red Sea, causing them to panic and doubt their deliverance. Moses encourages them to "stand firm" and trust that God will fight for them, emphasizing that their salvation comes through divine intervention, not human strength. The passage reminds us: “When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Amen.
