Present But SILENT

I was headed out 5:30 am, and God spoke.  I had planned on discussing OPENING THE FLOODGATES, which would have been appropriate due to all the rain.  BUT God spoke and said, “Nope that’s not it!”  Now God can be a jokester because I don’t do very well without a plan, however when He speaks I listen.

Ever since last week at MD Anderson I have been thinking about not hearing God.  It was a discussion that Lauren and I have had over and over again. Not hearing God doesn’t mean that He isn’t in the middle of life with us.  It just simply means that He is quiet.

What is silence?  Absence of sound

There is something unique in the midst of silence.  Silence is a language of its own.  It is that of peaceful beauty of being able to take in what is around us.  Silence is part of a conversation.  Within a conversation people are talking, however, silence is always present.  Speaking may not be done actually through words.  God may speak to us through experiences and incidences.

When we dive into scripture, I go to the book of Mark.

Mark 4:35-41 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Jesus and the disciples were going by boat to the other side of the water.  Jesus had told them, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Jesus wasn’t nervous or anxious.  He was so calm He went down in the bottom of the boat and went to sleep.  He was not saying a word. He was silent.

As the winds blew and the storm was fierce the disciples got nervous.  They went and woke up Jesus.  Can’t you see them they were shaking with fear?  They wanted Jesus to calm the storm and that He did, however after He did He asked them why in the world they were worried?  You of little faith.

Such a lesson.  When we are in the middle of the storm, God may be silent.  This doesn’t mean He isn’t there right beside us.  Just like the disciples in the boat.  Jesus was in the boat, but He wasn’t worried or distracted by the storm. He was PRESENT but SILENT.

There are other examples in the bible of Christ being silent.  Take for instance Job.  God was silent.  He let all of Jobs friends speak.  Then he finally decided to discuss the issues with Job; however, He spoke in questions to Job.

What Job possessed the whole time of Gods silence was that of being obedient.  Job had faith and trusted in God in the midst of the silence. Was it difficult? Of course.

Mother Teresa didn’t hear God for years.  Did she stop what her mission work?  No, she kept going and shared God’s word and helped many.  He spoke, she listened, and she did her job on earth fulfilling God’s purpose for her life.  Look at what an impact she was on many and she still is today.

We must remember even though silent God’s love for us doesn’t leave nor does He leave.  We need to start looking for Him in unexpected places. It may not be that we hear Him through his voice.  We may hear Him through words spoken to you by others, through notes, through signs, through experiences and also through scripture.

There is a presence that is signified by silence.  It is much like when we are thirsty water quenches our thirst.  We become hungry for His voice.  If we listen for that still small voice and open our hearts to Christ, we will hear Him.  Remember it isn’t that He is absent He is present through our never-ending faith.

  HE WILL ONE DAY BREAK THE SILENCE.  

CHALLENGES FOR THE WEEK:

• Keep your daily appointment with God

• Dive into His word

• Keep the faith even when you feel He isn’t present, He is present, Christ never leaves you

• Keep filling those cups

Prayers, hugs and love,

Cupcake