God’s Answer for Our Frenetic Lives
In a world that never seems to slow down, where noise and distractions constantly clamor for our attention, what does faith invite us to do?
In this Day1 conversation, Rev. Dr. Charles Qualls, senior pastor of Franklin Baptist Church in Virginia, joins me to reflect on the wisdom of the prophet Isaiah. With imagery often revisited during Advent, Isaiah’s words remind us to “make straight a path” for God, smoothing the way to rediscover quietness, stillness, and spiritual renewal.
Dr. Qualls offers a hopeful reminder: the call to make room for God is not just for one season, but a year-round invitation to resist life’s frenetic pace. His words encourage us to pause, breathe, and create sacred space for connection with the Almighty.
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Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
So what would you say to folks who are feeling the frenetic pace of life right now? And just are having? No matter what size town they live in, or what region they find themselves? What is it in our faith that can help us resist the frenetic pace of life?
Rev. Dr. Charles Qualls
I think Isaiah does a good job describing that, sort of drawn us a road map. And we visit that a lot of Advent seasons as we're preparing for Christmas. Isaiah said, make straight a path, make a highway for our God.
Let's smooth down the mountains and make plain a place for God. Advent gives us a real gift about this whole frenetic pace, because Advent, by definition, calls upon us to make room for God. To find some way to try to quiet out all the noise. There are so many voices clamoring for our attention in this frenetic world.
And all of a sudden, we have this season that comes about, and even our songs that we sing sing about quietness and stillness. And we are called upon to try to carve out that kind of room where we can reconnect with the Almighty. And I think that's a year-round call to us, not one we should just pick up at Christmastime.
Dr. Qualls’ reflection invites us to consider how often we allow busyness to flatten our lives, leaving little space for God’s presence. Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas—it’s a spiritual blueprint for slowing down, listening, and making room for what matters most.
For preachers, this is a reminder that our teaching should not only explain Scripture but also invite people into practices of rest and stillness. For educators, it is a prompt to consider how faith traditions can counteract the cultural forces of constant noise and distraction. And for every believer, it’s a call to reclaim the quiet places where God’s voice can be heard.
Reflect on these questions:
- Where in my life am I allowing the noise of the world to crowd out the stillness of God?
- How might Advent’s call to prepare a way for the Lord guide me throughout the year?
- What intentional practices can I adopt to create sacred space for listening to God’s Spirit?
Explore Rev. Dr. Charles Qualls’ full sermon from episode 4203 >>>