Silence is Golden
Silence. We often run from it; it’s uncomfortable. We tend to like noise and distractions.
For over a month now, I’ve been largely off of social media and news platforms. The noise was getting to be too much, and I felt a prick in my conscience to let it go.
Besides being freed up thought- and time-wise, I’ve come to appreciate silence. It actually is golden. It’s in the silence that the Lord has taught me and molded me; how grateful I am.
I’ve wrestled with my health. One issue in particular, that leaves me flat on the couch some days and has kept me from having the many children we’ve always desired. The pain is multifaceted. My tears always fall before the Lord - I know that He hears me. I still don’t have the answers to my whys and hows, but I am content. Finally. God saw fit to give me this body, knowing the challenges I’d face, and it is for His glory. I pray for healing, through His special touch or through doctors He equips. And if not, He is still good and will carry me through the rest of the years I have to manage it. With this perspective, I can genuinely thank Him for this body.
I’ve struggled to stay at peace this year. We dealt with a horrible accident that I wouldn’t wish on an enemy. Life and death flashed before our eyes. The day after that, a neighbor family lost their little boy. And not long after that, a friend lost his grown son in yet another horrible accident. This with all the regular news and verbal fistfights and pure hatred in our world… I couldn’t and can’t bear it all.
Yet that’s the point, and the Lord was gracious to show me that amidst our family’s trial. I couldn’t hold up under the weight of it. Peace was fleeting; I tried to hold on to it but it slipped through my fingers every time. In my desperation, I begged God to carry me. Take my burdens. Show me what He means when He says His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt. 11:30). And somehow… somehow He did. He showed Himself so strong to carry it all. All! He lifted my chin and reminded me that not one thing happens outside His good will. And at this point in my life, I know better than to question whether His will is good or not. I have seen over and over and over again how His ways are better than mine (Isaiah 55:9). He renewed my strength as I put my hope in Him (Isaiah 40:31). He helped me put one foot in front of the other when all I wanted to do was crumple into a heap. And as the days went on, He sustained me. There was no point along the way that I caved and lost all hope - no, He remained sufficient. He still remains sufficient.
Silence is golden.
As I look at the world and how broken my beloved country is, I still have hope. He sustains me even in this. Our world is not going to Hell in a handbasket. God has been revealing sin; He is exposing the darkness and bringing light to it. We shouldn’t be surprised when the light illuminates cobwebs and skeletons. Things get messy and we see evil. But then - He cleans and restores. People are finding that there is no fulfillment in things or other people; life without Jesus is empty. The harvest is plentiful - may the Lord raise up more workers!
Silence is golden. Friend, lessen the distractions - I promise you don’t really need them. What you need is Jesus Christ. Turn to Him, turn to Him, turn to Him. Just as He is teaching me, He can teach you. He can make sense of your life and trials. He can satisfy and keep you going. He is Lord of lords and King of kings. We have none to fear but Him!
Take your burdens and joyfully give them to the Lord to carry. Focus on the tasks He gives you, the people He puts before you, and give thanks. He is good, all the time. And all the time, He is good!
