"When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater." Acts 22:2
Silence fell over the angry mob. What could cause such a hush among these "Paul haters?" He spoke their language. He had been an intruder, one who posed a threat to their way of life but suddenly he was one of them. He commanded their attention when he spoke their language. Stay with me here.
When I was a wandering Christian, ineffective for the cause of Christ I viewed Him and His ways as a threat to my way of life. He was an intruder. His Spirit did not speak my language. I would not listen to Him until He started speaking a language I understood. When He started speaking my language I longed to sit in the greater silence to hear more of what He had to say. It is only when what is being said is spoken in a language we understand that we want to listen.
So the question is: How do we understand the language God uses to speak to us? We spend time with Him. We spend time with Him not to tell Him what we need Him to give us or do for us. We spend time with Him to understand His language to us. He is an individual God who deals with individual children personally. He communicates with us in a language or in ways we only we can understand. The only way to discern what He wants us to know is sit in silence before Him.
When I first started spending time with the Lord every morning there was a lot of silence, great silence. I don't like silence therefore I was ready to give up on this "quiet time with the Lord." He saw me getting up every day and if He had something to say He had His chance and blew it.
But before I had the chance to quit on the Lord, I started to understand Him, not only during our morning time together but other times: in church, through music, friends, other Bible teachers, and His Word. I learned there is volume in silence.
Today, I long for the days of sitting in great silence to hear what the Lord has to say.
10 Comments:
Wendy, I just love this. The volume of silence. Often times silences speak so much louder than words. There is a language to silence that is so beautiful and messages are conveyed.
Today, in the silence, the Lord spoke to me about finding spectacular in the simple.
“As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.” Acts 21:6
In my years of growing up in the church, I’ve heard some pretty amazing testimonies. Reformed drug addicts and alcoholics. Near death stories that resulted in salvation. Prodigals returning home. Paul’s transformation described here was none less spectacular. What a dramatic conversion he describes. Makes my little story seem boring and meaningless.
My testimony isn’t filled with captivating before and after illustrations. As an eight year old I hadn’t tried drugs, hadn’t left home, been a victim of abuse, surrendered to passion or committed a serious crime. Although a light from heaven didn’t surround me as it did Paul, I have come to understand something very valuable. A light did shine within me that opened the eyes of a little girl’s heart. Beth Moore writes, “Every conversion cost the same amount of Christ’s blood shed on the cross. Every conversion was worth the loss of God’s only Son to Him.”
The day I gave my heart to Jesus and asked for forgiveness of sins was very exciting. Just as many angels rejoiced. I am thankful for all God saved me from experiencing. I’m thankful for experiences missed. I’m grateful for opportunities lost. I praise God for less drama and less pain.
“You don’t have to see a bright light from heaven to have a story to tell. The determining factor is not how exciting your conversion was but how excited you are now about your conversion. The simplest testimony from a person thankful to be saved is more powerful than the most dramatic testimony from someone who has told it so methodically that it has lost its fervor.” Beth Moore
Yesterday as I practiced the message I will be sharing with a group of ladies at a Christmas Brunch this coming Tuesday, my eyes filled with tears and goose bumps covered my body as the memories of God’s goodness, forgiveness and provision flooded my heart. Oh Lord, may I never take for granted all You have done for me.
Today, if God gives opportunity, let’s share our testimonies. No one can share it better than you. The simplest of salvation stories is still spectacular.
Rejoicing in all He has done for me,
Joy
Good morning, Ladies!
During the reading this morning. I became strongly aware of how grateful I am for this opportunity to grow closer to God and gather strength from you, the believers of Christ. Sometimes it feels like my little farming community is a spiritual desert. I long for fellowship among believers. There are many who profess to know him; but they still live under rigid laws and tradition.
Reading over my own thoughts, I realize it sounds harsh. I love these people; they are kind just stuck in tradition. For example, I long to see the choir (all 8 to 12 of them) smile. We all have so much to be grateful for.
Our Wednesday night Bible study is lead by a wonderful elderly gentleman. He is hard of hearing and it makes class discussion difficult. Yet, he's always lead the studies on Wednesday night and no one wants to hurt his feelings by asking someone else to lead.
At the same time, I long for more. Talking with a few others, I have asked if they would be interested in meeting as a group in our homes (not on a regular church night) for Bible study. Last night, one couple came and ask me when we could start. I didn't know what to say except "let's talk about right after Christmas". I really don't want to offend the elders of the church, but we really need more.
Early tomorrow, I am leaving for Oklahoma City with a group of ladies from my sister's church (she lives 3 hours from me). We are going to "Deeper Still" with Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. I am praying for a vision, a direction...something...I have my morning blog group for which I am deeply grateful. Yet, I am burdened for my husband, my son, my friends, ...who need more of Him and less of tradition. If you think of us today, please pray for us and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Your sister in Christ Jesus,
Nancy
Wendy, I love what you wrote today. It's hard to explain this feeling "of being in His presence," with someone. I know before I experienced it I had been a Christian forever, not really remembering what my life was like before that. The "conversion," period for me was when I began walking with Him. And, what started it was when I diligently began to on purpose spend daily time with Him, in His Word, and praying, and like you said, being quiet. I would pray and then just pause and wait. I did not know to do this. No one like you had ever told me. (oh, how I wish they had MANY years ago!!!) But, the beauty is ---the Spirit led me to do this! God was drawing me to Him because I was ready. I was reading His Word, and praying. He did the rest. And, then that's when it happened! I had read, to "pray without ceasing," I Thes. 5:17 and thought always how could anyone to do this? More and more it's becoming clear to me, how the more you're in "His presence," the more intensely passionate you become.
We've all witnessed fervid orator's-they just glow; they are such devoted Christians, obsessed with their Jesus! Well, they can't help it. They are afire with His Spirit!
And, oh, I too, long for days of sitting in great silence to hear what the Lord has to say! Now, that's one advantage, to look forward to, of being old and having an 'empty nest!' But, He wants us now! So, we on purpose take those moments throughout the day when we can and we pray and we allow ourselves to be quiet. He's there! We have many moments, we just need to take advantage of them. Last night, I was waiting in the car for my son. I was doing a carpool and the boy's were late. Now, I could have become impatient, but staring me in the face was a FULL moon. It took my breath away. It helped me to focus where my thoughts should be! Little moments like those are sprinkled throughout our day! But, are we going to take advantage of them? Help me, Lord!
This is what I underlined today:
"I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did," (Acts 23:3). Zealous: intensely passionate, enthusiastic, obsessed, even pushy! I'm not a pushy person at all, but my desire is to be pushy for Jesus! I want Him!
Love you all! Joy, so wish I could be sitting in the auditorium listening to the Jesus in you speak! :)
Have a great day, TODAY!
Blessings, Lori - AZ
You all - as ever - take MY breath away!
Lori - I so get your full moon moment! - Praise Him for those, for they are plentiful. He loves us so!
Nancy - your testimony touched me so. Will be praying for God to strengthen you and show you his will, for I have no doubt he is planning to use you to spice up your community! :)
Joy - as ever, you just blow me away. "I praise God for less drama and less pain" Amen, sister.
Wendy - I am so glad God whispered to you on this subject today and that you answered with such a beautiful message. In reading the text on my own I missed it completely:
We cannot listen until we are silent. And silence often requires a long period of time to clear the cobwebs, purge the train of gotta, coulda, woulda, shoulda...and just to listen...to hear that "wee small voice"...Abba.
Listening with all my senses this morning!
Bless you all,
Liz
AK
Great point about learning to listen in the silence. I have much quietness on my hands...as an empty nester. I tend to fight this, trying to fill my time with busyness or thinking I need to get a job somewhere. Today's reading is telling me I need to learn to listen to Him.
Sometimes it's hard to sit in the silence isn't? And right when we're ready to give up, He speaks. Reminding us that His timing and ways are best. Thanks for this post today.
There is volume in silence. Thank you for sharing that revelation. It literally speaks volumes to me.
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
I'm watching a personal testimony of Sue Thomas, a deaf lady who worked for the FBI and later went into Seminary School. She said, "Often times it is in the silence when we hear God speak." Just had to share b/c it went so well with your thoughts today. :o)
Nancy, You are in your little farming town for a specific reason. Just like the song by Mercy Me says,
“You put me here for a reason
You have a mission for me
You knew my name and You called it
Long before I learned to breathe…
How can I further your kingdom?
I’ll embrace every moment I’m given…
If I give the best of me
That becomes my legacy…”
God will guide you each step of the way dear Nancy!
Praying for you,
Lori - AZ
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and your prayers. Lori, I really appreciate your comments and reminders. I am confident that you are correct; God placed me in this little community for a reason. Funny, I'm not a native of the area. Actually, I came here because of a job. It's a long story but you really helped me put it in perspective.
As we prepare to take off on our journey to Oklahoma City, I feel as if I'm on the edge of something great about to happen!
I can't tell you all the depths of my gratitude for this group. Many times it feels like my link to dedicated sisters-in-Christ. Before moving here more than 10 years ago, I lived with connections to wonderful prayer groups, spiritual retreats and dedicated Bible studies. Now, I really understand the importance of gathering with the believers for strength.
Love,
Nancy
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