The
topic of silence appears regularly in these lines. It emerges again
this week because of two poignant encounters with the blessing of
wordless time. On one occasion, friends gathered for prayer shared
solemn and deeply personal concerns. After that time of sharing, the one
assigned the responsibility of leading prayer noted that his words
would not suffice. We embraced a period of silent prayer and closed it
with the Lord's Prayer. Several folks in that circle experienced God in
the silence. The eternal did not need words to enter those moments with
presence and peace. On the other occasion, a group had wrestled with a
difficult decision for nearly two hours. Then they took some moments for
reflection, meditation, and relative silence. That period of silence
made their decision no less difficult, but God spoke in the stillness
and the group came to consensus shortly after resuming speech.
Discerning the guidance of God involves words, but transcends words.
Words
abound and often surround us. Sometimes they bind us to what we can
control and understand. Silence has the graciously mysterious capacity
to liberate us and to connect us with deeper truth and nearness. Here
are a few places and situations in which to seek the embrace of silence.
Before
worship, especially before Holy Communion, sit quietly, offer God no
words, and focus on sensing the divine presence. Cup your hands and hold
them out to receive blessings God may pour into those moments. There is
nothing wrong and much right with pouring out our hearts to God; but
God often refreshes us when we focus not on what's on our minds but on
what God gives in the moment. God's gifts, unlike our words, always
prove sufficient.
Following a
particularly inspiring piece of music, embrace the silence that follows
the final note. Let God and the musicians know that the music spoke in
ways beyond auditory response. I do not forbid applause, but on many
occasions I ache for gathered saints not to break the stillness with
their need to make gratitude heard. God hears sighs and reflections too
deep for words.
In the presence of
something splendidly beautiful or spectacularly true, be still and enter
the embrace offered. Our descriptions of and praise for transcendent
moments express sincere gratitude, but they rarely add to the beauty or
deepen the truth.
Before a difficult
decision, amidst the swirling of information and accountability, step
aside, breathe deeply, set conscious thoughts aside, and listen. Listen
for rhythms beyond our control. Listen to the whispers between breaths.
Listen not for a word or particular words but for whatever sound seeks
us. Even if the decision becomes no easier, the making of it can offer
greater peace.
When life comes so
quickly that it seems impossible to manage, disengage with the immediate
and sit or walk quietly in anticipation of encountering the eternal.
Sometimes the house is on fire, but most of the time no harm will come
if we take time to wait for a presence beyond time. To the contrary,
however, much harm flows from words that have yet to pass through sacred
stillness.
Revelation
is not my favorite book of the Bible, but one scene always catches my
attention. Following seven chapters of pronouncements, seal opening,
singing, and frightening words, the narrator declares: "When the Lamb
opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an
hour" (Revelation 8:1). The seventh seal symbolizes completion. The
message is that even God embraces silence before completing recreation.
Does God need silence? Perhaps that goes too far, but God, the Word that
needs not words, speaks in silence as powerfully as in speech. Amidst a
people so inundated by words, perhaps we hear God speak most clearly
apart from all speech. Seek and accept the embrace of silence, friends.
It will transform life.
Glad to share ministry with you, MWPC saints,
LP
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