Vollie's Views



Circle of Quiet
Most of us remember exactly what we were doing when we heard or saw the destruction that happened in our country on September 11, 2001. I was awakened by my daughter's phone call with the words, "Where's Daddy?"¯ She knew that he was traveling, but didn't know where or when he left.

As I turned on the TV, I saw the clamor of evil that was enveloping our country. For many American's this was the first time they had been faced with the thought that there was evil that could touch our lives. For the first time they had to evaluate what they really believed and many decided that they did not know.

We have heard so many stories of people calling out to God, perhaps for the first time in their lives; of many attending churches trying to find a secure, quiet place where they could find rest for their souls. There are two views that most of these people have based their lives upon.
  • Everything in life is accidental, no rhyme or reason, no purpose, no design, no order established for our lives. It is up to us to keep things under control.
  • What is to be will be, nothing we do makes any difference, powers hold us in their grip—make us do their desires. We have no choice but to go along with them.
Neither of these views results in comfort or courage during these days of sorrow. Even those of us who call upon His name daily have searched our own hearts as to our beliefs about His control, His goodness, and His purpose in allowing this tragedy. There are certain things that are true that we must cling to as believers and put into the context of the "life circumstances" that would challenge our beliefs.
  • We must believe that God is here.
  • We must believe that God cares.
  • We must believe that God is good.
When things happen that cause us to question these truths we must take them straight to Jesus and put the questions into the context of our relationship with Him, based on the truth of His Word. During that first week, when my husband and I were apart, I took my questions to God and He provided rest for my soul and a circle of quiet in my heart.

"How blessed is the man you train,
the woman you instruct in your word.
He provides a circle of quiet within
the clamor of evil."
(Psalm 94, The Message)

Lord, help us to believe these truths without reservation. Help us to know how to communicate and reflect the truth about You to those who come to us needing a quiet place from the clamor of evil around them.
Vollie Sanders is the National Director of Navigator Women's Ministry, committed to edifying, encouraging, and equipping women to know Christ and to make Him known.

As National Director, Vollie is involved in training women across the US, helping and enabling them to be fully involved in the discipleship and leadership process across their seasons of life.

Vollie has authored one book for NavPress, Train Up a Mom, and published an article for Discipleship Journal. Vollie is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of five.