IN THE SILENCE

There seemed to be a lot of hustle and bustle all around as I was meeting a friend at Dunkin donuts on National Donut day.   I stepped to the far side, glancing at my phone, while waiting for my order to be prepared.

 

I heard the cashier greet the next customer with the usual, “Hello~What can I get for you today?”

It was kind of strange that suddenly it seemed that everything seemed quieter and I noticed there was no usual audible response; instead there was just deafening silence.  Glancing at the customer, I pieced together that he was mute.

In that moment, I paused and the thought of what it must be like to be mute, ran through my head.

 

What would it be like to be mute?

The main idea that came to mind was…

 

… Imagine no useless chatter….

… No audible complaining….

… No small talk that really isn’t important…

…coming from your mouth.

 

Those things that may seem like little, innocent words that may snowball and sometimes end up distracting us from our focus on the important things in life…Like glorifying God in our word and deed.

 

Photo courtesy of Sapphire Dream Photography under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

In order to communicate, a mute person must get your undivided attention usually requiring first direct eye contact. Eyes locking eyes and then zeroing in on their mouth to understand what they are saying. It takes focus, doesn’t it?

 

Maybe that world of muteness is something, we who can speak, should relate to a little more.

 

 

Later that evening, it was interesting to me to be at a retreat where the importance of silence was mentioned confirming in my mind my earlier thoughts.

 

One presenter was telling the story of someone who “heard” God say,

 

“The only thing I want to hear is you listening.”

 

 

Do we sometimes get so busy telling God our requests and what we think we need/want that we forget to be still and listen for His voice?

 

Yes, prayer is a two way conversation with God~not a one way conversation!

 

 

May I encourage you to try to do the following this week?

–Practice being silent

–In prayer listen to God

–Listen to the stillness

–When someone “attacks” you maybe even verbally, just be silent

–Try really listening to others

–Make direct eye contact with those communicating with you

–Try to avoid useless chatter

–Communicate your true needs

–Focus on communicating God’s love and goodness to all you meet!

 

After the ending of the retreat that first day, I went outside in the dark of the night. I had been out earlier where I zeroed in on the birds chirping as I beheld the lake and God’s beautiful nature.

 

Photo courtesy of Onascht under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

This time when I went out, I at first heard silence! It was a God moment as I soaked up His love and peace knowing I am His precious child!

 

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  –Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

You can be sure that on the Judgment Day you will have to give account of every useless word you have ever spoken.  Your words will be used to judge you–to declare you either innocent or guilty.  –Matthew 12:36-37 (GNT)

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. –Proverbs 17:27-28 (NLT)