Strong spirits: silence
Some love silence, some fear it, and most can't find any time for it.
How are you with silence? Some of us love it, some of us fear it, and most of us can't find any time for it.
At times, God chooses to be silent. I believe he does this so that we will seek him more. I believe that most times, God is speaking in multiple ways - his Word, our thoughts, nature. But because we are not silent, or still, we usually don't hear a thing he says.
The author of Psalm 46, after describing the tumult in the world around us, has God saying this: "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." (v 10)
One of the very best ways to grow a relationship with God is to spend time with him in silence. Come to him without your list of needs, and simply sit, be still, and listen. You may be amazed at what you hear!
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" Isaiah 30:15.
Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
