Silence Is Golden
The old adage “Silence is Golden” is usually quoted when we are overwhelmed by the seemingly unending chatter of someone who is talking way too much, when all we would like is just some peace and quiet. The culprit is usually an acquaintance that unloads their ceaseless struggles and worries, or a child who believes their continual asking or nagging will weaken our resolve so we will give them what they want.
The truth of the matter is that even though we say that silence is golden, we really only move from one distraction to another. We never experience a real cessation from some sort of input to our minds and conscience. Even if we get our request and silence does reign briefly around us, we soon become uncomfortable being left alone with our thoughts. Although we think that silence is golden, we rarely (if ever) obtain it.
Anxieties, pressures, guilt, missed opportunities, mistrust and unanswered questions all parade through our minds, producing a deafening “noise” of silent unrest. The result is that we do something – anything – to turn up the volume of life so we can drown out the conviction of regret or boredom. We turn on the television, listen to music, surf the internet, browse through Pinterest and Facebook, go shopping, play video games, text friends or sleep. We do whatever we can, just so living seems to have purpose and my attentions are occupied.
But silence is golden! We were created for times of silence when everything else around us is quiet, when we can truly engage our thoughts in a process that is intended to keep us emotionally balanced and at the same time bring us into communication with the God who created us. Thinking quietly and deeply allows us to take stock of our lives. We take the time to examine ourselves to assess, in the light of God’s Word and presence, an honest comparison of our character with that of Jesus our Lord.
As we are guided by the Holy Spirit, such activity brings wholeness as I admit my need of His input and find myself truly hearing His voice, speaking personally and directly to my heart. While the world dreams of silence as the absence of all sounds and an “emptiness” it thinks will heal, the Father who loves calls for us to;
“Be still and know that I am God!”
God calls to each of us; not to an empty silence but to a thoughtful quiet that opens the heart for communion with Him. He calls us to a place where I am encouraged to think the thoughts of God and reason with Him who knows me fully. In those moments of quiet contemplation with my Lord, I am renewed, empowered and changed at the very core of my being!
How exciting to be His people,
Pastor David Vanderpool
