Your giving should be in secret. Then your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. When you pray, go into a room by yourself. After you have shut the door, pray to your Father Who is in secret. Then your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew6:4-6NLV
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 1Thessalonians5:12ERV
Do you remember watching “The Invisible Man” on TV when you were young? It was compulsive viewing because although you knew the tell tale signs he would leave behind, you were never sure where he was unless he had wound the white roll of bandages around his body, or the vase would make its way through mid air to crash over the unsuspecting villain’s head.
I found myself asking the question recently, “are there any invisible men or women in the church”? In fact, in my church? Apparently there are times our secrecy is needed, but other times when the secrecy of the invisible man or woman is not acceptable to our Saviour. We are usually quite good at praying or giving in secret, and not boasting about it, but what of the other times mentioned in the verse above when we are told to acknowledge those … among you? And what does the Lord tell us to do?
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John13:34NIV
We have a command, straight from Jesus Himself to love each other, just as He loved us! That my friends is real love, and very visibly public. It is how the world knows for certain that we are Jesus’ followers. When we love one another, we cannot hide it so in that context, there should be no invisible men or women in any fellowship. Sadly though, this is not the case, and we do have invisible people in our churches. Yes, even in my church.
That new wee family that have recently started to come, and sit at the back. Who are they? What are their names? The small, frail, elderly lady who sometimes can come when she is strong enough? Where does she live, and how does she get to church? The man who is looking for a church to settle in and sits over at the end of the row, have you talked to him? Would anyone think about phoning any of them, dropping them a card, or even paying them a visit? These folks are examples of the invisible men and women, and they are in our churches. We should have no invisible people especially in church. I wonder how I would know this?
The aim is to provide a stimulating mix of personal opinions (from a mainstream Christian worldview), and associated comments, which will be accepted and published if they comply with the usual courtesy and decency.
Showing posts with label quiet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quiet. Show all posts
Sunday, 10 March 2019
Saturday, 2 March 2019
Silence
O LORD, you are my rock of safety. Please help me; don't refuse to answer me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. Psalm28:1NLT
Silence is suspicious! Ask any parent who suddenly notices that the playful laughter and giggles of their little treasures stop, followed by silence. More often than not, it means they have found something to do that would not be liked by mum and dad. Silence is suspicious. Ask the person who is awakened from a deep sleep by the eerie sound of silence as their house is violated by a cat burglar. Yes, silence is suspicious and unhealthy.
We too become silent at times, but ask yourself when that is most likely to happen? I can see two possibilities at least. One, when a usually down and negative person who talks a lot about all his overstated medical ailments, has come to realise that s/he really IS ill this time so nothing constructive can be added or contrived, so silence is their only way out to save face. And Two, which I think more likely, is the silence of someone who has been hurt in some way by friends or trusted colleagues, but due to a sense of misplaced loyalty cannot, and will not, speak out against them. The realisation that they may not be all that s/he had thought is just too much to bear, so the obvious response becomes a retreated silence. The trouble now is that any underlying issue cannot and will not be addressed.
When your normally upbeat and talkative friend goes quiet, ask yourself why, then do the best and most helpful thing you possibly can. Draw alongside to let them know you are here for them, and most of all, you care. You may never know in this life the good you have done, but be assured, your friend will know. A parting thought because the opposite holds true too: If you, or no one else, comes alongside for them, that has an equal and opposite effect on your friend.
We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up. When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers. Galatians6:9-10ERV
Silence is suspicious! Ask any parent who suddenly notices that the playful laughter and giggles of their little treasures stop, followed by silence. More often than not, it means they have found something to do that would not be liked by mum and dad. Silence is suspicious. Ask the person who is awakened from a deep sleep by the eerie sound of silence as their house is violated by a cat burglar. Yes, silence is suspicious and unhealthy.
We too become silent at times, but ask yourself when that is most likely to happen? I can see two possibilities at least. One, when a usually down and negative person who talks a lot about all his overstated medical ailments, has come to realise that s/he really IS ill this time so nothing constructive can be added or contrived, so silence is their only way out to save face. And Two, which I think more likely, is the silence of someone who has been hurt in some way by friends or trusted colleagues, but due to a sense of misplaced loyalty cannot, and will not, speak out against them. The realisation that they may not be all that s/he had thought is just too much to bear, so the obvious response becomes a retreated silence. The trouble now is that any underlying issue cannot and will not be addressed.
When your normally upbeat and talkative friend goes quiet, ask yourself why, then do the best and most helpful thing you possibly can. Draw alongside to let them know you are here for them, and most of all, you care. You may never know in this life the good you have done, but be assured, your friend will know. A parting thought because the opposite holds true too: If you, or no one else, comes alongside for them, that has an equal and opposite effect on your friend.
We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up. When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers. Galatians6:9-10ERV
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
Sheer Silence
...and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 1Kings19:12NRSV
Do you ever crave silence? Perhaps a silence where you can think straight, and avoid the daily distractions? We know the story where Elijah the strong and powerful prophet of God came up against an evil woman called Jezebel who promised to make his life a misery, to the point of death. The great Elijah ran scared for his life. We smile at this sometimes, but which of us has never run from a test or temptation instead of facing it down? So let’s not be too hasty in judgement.
God used the elements of nature to get his attention. An earthquake, but no success. A fire, and still Elijah wasn’t able to hear God. But when it was ‘sheer silence’, and there were no other distractions, Elijah heard the voice of God, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”. Elijah was faced with the same question by God in v9 and v13, almost as though it didn’t get through the first time, or it needed to be emphasised. God certainly wanted his attention, and only then Elijah got the message.
God doesn’t always get through to us in the big things either. The Crusades, or the Campaigns (Revivals to our American cousins), or the Gospel Music Concerts, all with their noisy Biblical content (all good of course!). However, many times God needs us to be quiet before Him, without the distractions that noise can bring. Very recently, a close friend suffered a particularly bad couple of days in his health, but in that time there wasn’t much conversation or prayer going on between him and God. He was too busy trying to find a way to feel better as each passing hour seemed more painful than the last. When the ‘noise’ of the pain reduced and eased, that was when God spoke. But not only that, it was when my friend was in a place to listen.
Where and when would be the best place and time for God to speak clearly to you, and more importantly, for you to be able to listen?
Do you ever crave silence? Perhaps a silence where you can think straight, and avoid the daily distractions? We know the story where Elijah the strong and powerful prophet of God came up against an evil woman called Jezebel who promised to make his life a misery, to the point of death. The great Elijah ran scared for his life. We smile at this sometimes, but which of us has never run from a test or temptation instead of facing it down? So let’s not be too hasty in judgement.
God used the elements of nature to get his attention. An earthquake, but no success. A fire, and still Elijah wasn’t able to hear God. But when it was ‘sheer silence’, and there were no other distractions, Elijah heard the voice of God, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”. Elijah was faced with the same question by God in v9 and v13, almost as though it didn’t get through the first time, or it needed to be emphasised. God certainly wanted his attention, and only then Elijah got the message.
God doesn’t always get through to us in the big things either. The Crusades, or the Campaigns (Revivals to our American cousins), or the Gospel Music Concerts, all with their noisy Biblical content (all good of course!). However, many times God needs us to be quiet before Him, without the distractions that noise can bring. Very recently, a close friend suffered a particularly bad couple of days in his health, but in that time there wasn’t much conversation or prayer going on between him and God. He was too busy trying to find a way to feel better as each passing hour seemed more painful than the last. When the ‘noise’ of the pain reduced and eased, that was when God spoke. But not only that, it was when my friend was in a place to listen.
Where and when would be the best place and time for God to speak clearly to you, and more importantly, for you to be able to listen?
Saturday, 22 September 2018
Some Peace
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV
How many times have you heard the words, “I just want some peace”? In fact, you have probably uttered these words yourself more than a few times, especially if you are a parent of young children. The words “GIMME PEACE!” are usually uttered in exasperation”. However, peace is never easy to achieve, whether in countries at war, or in the home.
Paul had this trouble with the believers in Corinth. They wanted some peace but didn’t know how to go about getting it. The apostle comes to the rescue in this short verse of advice. He tells them to set their sights high, and to “aim for restoration….comfort….agreement….live peacefully”. Then the God of love and peace would be with them. *Simples* but not so fast, because Paul starts the verse with the word “rejoice”.
Let me get this right. When you are at the end of your tether, and stressed out, he tells us to rejoice? Aye right Paul. Are you serious? Yes, apparently he is. He starts with the command to rejoice, and then comes the rest of the advice. This is all counter intuitive to us, and it must have been the same to the early church too. You didn’t think peace would just fall into your lap, now did you? Getting some of that elusive peace takes effort and action on our part and Paul hits the nail on the head. So, you and I need some peace? Then I suggest we read this verse, and read it over, and then read it some more until it sinks in, because this lesson is in God’s Word so it is a much needed truth for young and old alike. True peace comes through rejoicing.
How many times have you heard the words, “I just want some peace”? In fact, you have probably uttered these words yourself more than a few times, especially if you are a parent of young children. The words “GIMME PEACE!” are usually uttered in exasperation”. However, peace is never easy to achieve, whether in countries at war, or in the home.
Paul had this trouble with the believers in Corinth. They wanted some peace but didn’t know how to go about getting it. The apostle comes to the rescue in this short verse of advice. He tells them to set their sights high, and to “aim for restoration….comfort….agreement….live peacefully”. Then the God of love and peace would be with them. *Simples* but not so fast, because Paul starts the verse with the word “rejoice”.
Let me get this right. When you are at the end of your tether, and stressed out, he tells us to rejoice? Aye right Paul. Are you serious? Yes, apparently he is. He starts with the command to rejoice, and then comes the rest of the advice. This is all counter intuitive to us, and it must have been the same to the early church too. You didn’t think peace would just fall into your lap, now did you? Getting some of that elusive peace takes effort and action on our part and Paul hits the nail on the head. So, you and I need some peace? Then I suggest we read this verse, and read it over, and then read it some more until it sinks in, because this lesson is in God’s Word so it is a much needed truth for young and old alike. True peace comes through rejoicing.
Sunday, 19 August 2018
Quiet Time
There are many times we need to have a ‘quiet time’ in the Word of God and prayer. When I became a Christian at an early age, I was encouraged to make a regular ‘quiet time’ at some point during the day. It works because it makes us focus on God more clearly, and not on the other things that are happening around you, and especially those things that demand your personal attention.
Can I suggest there is another kind of quiet time, which is not so positive? I find myself going ‘quiet’ when something troubles me, or needs a lot of thought, or perhaps some kind of action or intervention which I am not happy about. Have you seen that trait in others? Have you maybe even seen it in yourself sometimes? Thankfully, this ‘quiet time’ does not happen often, but that fact alone can make it all the more significant in our life.
When that usually bubbly, chatty, bright friend or family member goes quiet, don’t judge harshly. They are not necessarily being rude or deliberately cutting you out. They may be struggling with a tough situation or circumstance, and are not too sure how to handle it for the best. If you consider yourself to be a trusted friend, let them know gently that you are there for them, and to listen. That’s all that may be needed, a listening and sympathetic ear.
I would suggest that the best listening ear is the one we use in the first kind of ‘quiet time’ above. God is our supreme trusted friend and He is a good listener. Not only that but His words of advice or caution will always be trustworthy. So, when your friend has gone quiet and you don’t feel able to step in and help, then pray for them. And one last, but important thing. Tell them you are praying. That tells the one who is troubled that you have noticed their plight, and are taking it to the highest authority in your own ‘quiet time’.
Can I suggest there is another kind of quiet time, which is not so positive? I find myself going ‘quiet’ when something troubles me, or needs a lot of thought, or perhaps some kind of action or intervention which I am not happy about. Have you seen that trait in others? Have you maybe even seen it in yourself sometimes? Thankfully, this ‘quiet time’ does not happen often, but that fact alone can make it all the more significant in our life.
When that usually bubbly, chatty, bright friend or family member goes quiet, don’t judge harshly. They are not necessarily being rude or deliberately cutting you out. They may be struggling with a tough situation or circumstance, and are not too sure how to handle it for the best. If you consider yourself to be a trusted friend, let them know gently that you are there for them, and to listen. That’s all that may be needed, a listening and sympathetic ear.
I would suggest that the best listening ear is the one we use in the first kind of ‘quiet time’ above. God is our supreme trusted friend and He is a good listener. Not only that but His words of advice or caution will always be trustworthy. So, when your friend has gone quiet and you don’t feel able to step in and help, then pray for them. And one last, but important thing. Tell them you are praying. That tells the one who is troubled that you have noticed their plight, and are taking it to the highest authority in your own ‘quiet time’.
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Time to Keep Silent
To every thing there is a season...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:1,7
We all face the question in our own minds, whether to put up or shut up. Speak or be silent. Let rip or stay schtum. Our base instinct is to shout the odds at the thing that hurts and annoys us, or perhaps the person that has crossed the line we have drawn in the sand. We all wrestle with that one many times, and I think we fail wise Solomon’s measured advice.
There certainly is a time to speak out, and confront evil because Jesus tells us to beware of false teachers and prophets in the Gospels, but that is not to be used as a licence to shoot from the hip every time something or someone crosses our own personal line, opinion, or feeling.
This very dilemma troubled me recently. My initial reaction was to confront the source of my disagreement both in person and content. Fortunately, I allowed some time to pass while the issue percolated in my mind and I am glad it worked out that way. Not because I had changed my mind, far from it, because I still feel the same about the person and the problem it gives me, and most likely some other folks looking on.
In war we talk about collateral damage. Not the direct hits, or the intended targets, but the property and people who were on the edges of the line of fire. Bringing this issue up in a public arena would have affected a group of people who a) might have disagreed anyway, or b) had not seen the original problem, and now knowing it, might take their own action and walk away. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for that outcome, and c) my own reputation and standing could be tainted and tarnished for all time.
The final, and most important consideration for staying silent is that it allows the person who caused my own worry and concern, to move on, and perhaps allow them to change. In His infinite wisdom, God has granted me grace when I have failed Him, so I must give grace to others. Of course, they may not believe they did any wrong, and a public outing makes any change (if it was seen as necessary) unlikely. On a personal and more human front, if the same thing happened again, I would come to another conclusion. Once bitten, twice shy as the old saying goes!
We all face the question in our own minds, whether to put up or shut up. Speak or be silent. Let rip or stay schtum. Our base instinct is to shout the odds at the thing that hurts and annoys us, or perhaps the person that has crossed the line we have drawn in the sand. We all wrestle with that one many times, and I think we fail wise Solomon’s measured advice.
There certainly is a time to speak out, and confront evil because Jesus tells us to beware of false teachers and prophets in the Gospels, but that is not to be used as a licence to shoot from the hip every time something or someone crosses our own personal line, opinion, or feeling.
This very dilemma troubled me recently. My initial reaction was to confront the source of my disagreement both in person and content. Fortunately, I allowed some time to pass while the issue percolated in my mind and I am glad it worked out that way. Not because I had changed my mind, far from it, because I still feel the same about the person and the problem it gives me, and most likely some other folks looking on.
In war we talk about collateral damage. Not the direct hits, or the intended targets, but the property and people who were on the edges of the line of fire. Bringing this issue up in a public arena would have affected a group of people who a) might have disagreed anyway, or b) had not seen the original problem, and now knowing it, might take their own action and walk away. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for that outcome, and c) my own reputation and standing could be tainted and tarnished for all time.
The final, and most important consideration for staying silent is that it allows the person who caused my own worry and concern, to move on, and perhaps allow them to change. In His infinite wisdom, God has granted me grace when I have failed Him, so I must give grace to others. Of course, they may not believe they did any wrong, and a public outing makes any change (if it was seen as necessary) unlikely. On a personal and more human front, if the same thing happened again, I would come to another conclusion. Once bitten, twice shy as the old saying goes!
Monday, 9 July 2018
Speak Up or Shut Up?
Speak up, or shut up? It’s not always clear what we should do. Something is weighing on your mind, but saying it out loud could be risky, so the better choice might be to stay quiet. At least for the time being, or maybe always. In one sense the issue justifies and warrants being said, but you know there will be collateral damage as a result. No one likes personal damage, especially if it affects other innocent bystanders who are your friends.
Taking the Bible at face value doesn’t always hold the answer. After all we are told to: Speak the truth in love, confront the false teachers, and yet speak gently, we have a warning in Proverbs 17:28 “Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent” and in Ecclesiastes 3:7b “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”. So what to do?
I think God gave us a heart and a head to use in balance for each individual situation because every case is different, just as every person is different. The wisdom of Solomon is needed, and we get encouraged in James 1:5 with the promise: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. The crux of the matter lies in this verse. Asking means praying, so we pray for guidance each and every time we need to know whether to speak up or shut up.
Other than getting closer to our loving Father, guess what happens when you are praying about the thing that’s weighing on your mind? Nothing! Yes nothing, because when you are in prayer you are not shouting, or shooting from the hip. You are not even trying to make excuses or give reasons for your dilemma. As the old phrase says, “silence is golden”, so now you have some much needed time to think carefully about the ripple effect of your words if you still decide to speak up. Up until this point, there has been no speaking harshly, or awkward deliberate silence. Only then I believe we will be in the right position to finally decide whether to speak up, or shut up!
Taking the Bible at face value doesn’t always hold the answer. After all we are told to: Speak the truth in love, confront the false teachers, and yet speak gently, we have a warning in Proverbs 17:28 “Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent” and in Ecclesiastes 3:7b “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”. So what to do?
I think God gave us a heart and a head to use in balance for each individual situation because every case is different, just as every person is different. The wisdom of Solomon is needed, and we get encouraged in James 1:5 with the promise: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. The crux of the matter lies in this verse. Asking means praying, so we pray for guidance each and every time we need to know whether to speak up or shut up.
Other than getting closer to our loving Father, guess what happens when you are praying about the thing that’s weighing on your mind? Nothing! Yes nothing, because when you are in prayer you are not shouting, or shooting from the hip. You are not even trying to make excuses or give reasons for your dilemma. As the old phrase says, “silence is golden”, so now you have some much needed time to think carefully about the ripple effect of your words if you still decide to speak up. Up until this point, there has been no speaking harshly, or awkward deliberate silence. Only then I believe we will be in the right position to finally decide whether to speak up, or shut up!
Sunday, 29 May 2016
Quiet Confidence
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “in quietness and in trust (confidence) shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling. Isaiah 30:15 ESVUK
God doesn’t get it wrong. We often do, but never God, and let’s face it, He has our best interests at heart. And yet, at those times when we need assurance most, we lack confidence. Is it because we don’t trust Him? I don’t think so, but I do believe we don’t trust Him enough.
We all have a high respect for people we see as being quiet in their confidence of those routine matters of life which affect them. They stand out in the crowd of insecurity, and yet they may not have a strong faith, or perhaps they have no faith at all. We as Christians need to step back and admire these folks because we have more reason to be confident, but we shy away from stating it, just in case our desire or prayer doesn’t happen and we look foolish. Do your non religious friends use the same excuse? No, and neither should we.
We have every reason to be confident of our salvation, and for the most part I can see that confidence coming through in the lives of His earthly saints. But what about those things, closer to home and not about deep matters of faith? What about the ordinary and everyday stuff, and those things, and yes especially people who grace our path, but we are unsure of our own feelings and at a human level, we lack confidence? We certainly don’t want to barge in like a bull in a china shop and ruin what building blocks of relationship we may be trying to lay. A rash and presumptuous confidence is not a good thing either, and should be avoided at all costs.
Prior to the verse above, God is setting out His reasons for loving and caring about His people, and although they back off and don’t recognise God’s hand in their lives, He continues to work undeterred and undaunted. Confidence is lacking, but God clearly says, “in quietness and in trust (confidence) shall be your strength.” You can’t help but see and feel the strength and power of God as He tends to His faltering people. I love the promise that our gracious God is on our side, granting a quiet confidence and trust that He has it all under control. Now isn’t that enough to inspire confidence in the nervous and feeble hearted? Yes and Amen.
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Shouting
I watched a trailer for a well known UK TV soap, and there was a lot of angry shouting, screwed up faces and harsh words. Is it just me, or do you also think there is too much anger and yelling on our media? At least if you are reading a report, or a book, the closest you get to SHOUTING is putting the words in capitals!
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11 (btw the words ‘shout for joy’ are also translated as ‘sing’. Makes you think, doesn’t it?)
This is not a new phenomenon. You will find it in most childrens’ TV too, and even on Disney and Nickelodeon where the main characters seem to spend the entire program shouting their lines at each other. No surprises then that our children and youth grow into the lifestyle where if they want to be heard or believed, they have to shout it.
There is a place for shouting, and a place to be quiet in our conversations. Otherwise our words can be lost if our voices are constantly raised. I remember working with a very quiet man, who could hardly be heard above the noise of a ceiling fan, but when I did hear him raise his voice, the words found their mark. Fortunately, this was a work environment and not personal, but it made me very aware of the effect our tone has when we communicate.
I think we need to take this on board as Christians, and take care not to shout people down in disagreement, but be calm and measured in our language. Perhaps these verses will help:
In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11 (btw the words ‘shout for joy’ are also translated as ‘sing’. Makes you think, doesn’t it?)
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Go Quiet
We can all shout the odds when things go wrong, and complain almost at will. We love to hear the sound of our own voices at times, but what makes you go quiet? My mum in law, was quite a lady and she liked to be in charge, so we heard her voice an opinion on almost anything and everything. She suffered from bad health in later life, and talked about her troubles often, but then we all seemed to notice something strange. While she was talking, even complaining, we didn’t have to worry about her. She was doing fine. But when she went quiet? Well, then we knew she was worried, and so we would worry too. Her silence shouted louder than any of her talking. Recognise yourself in this example?
Back to the question. “What makes you go quiet”? When everything is stripped back, and you run out of options and complaints, where do you go? What do you think and feel? If you are like most people, you will go quiet. Usually, when you finally realise that things have gotten out of your control, and you realise you don’t have any influence on a particular situation after all. In my example, it was health. There are other issues which could make us go quiet, things like, poor finances, family difficulty, a confidence given, big decisions which will affect the rest of your life, a crisis of faith. Yes, even a crisis of faith. There may be others that you are dealing with, and have made you go quiet.
What did Jesus say about our problems? I went back to His words in John 14 v1-3 as He comforted His disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am”.
I was struck with two things which Jesus said, and maybe what He didn’t say. He pointed to our belief in God, and then He went straight to a place after our problems, to a statement of eternal safety and security. I love the description of the Father’s house. There is room for all who trust, and a place where our troubles fade into insignificance. Even when we go quiet, and carry some burden alone. I notice that Jesus didn’t give us any solutions on this side of Heaven. That may also be due to the fact that many people will carry something that makes them go quiet, to the grave, where they will be safe, forgiven and forgotten. For reasons I don’t know or understand, it seems we are only encouraged to trust in God, and look ahead! That’s a real act of faith.
Back to the question. “What makes you go quiet”? When everything is stripped back, and you run out of options and complaints, where do you go? What do you think and feel? If you are like most people, you will go quiet. Usually, when you finally realise that things have gotten out of your control, and you realise you don’t have any influence on a particular situation after all. In my example, it was health. There are other issues which could make us go quiet, things like, poor finances, family difficulty, a confidence given, big decisions which will affect the rest of your life, a crisis of faith. Yes, even a crisis of faith. There may be others that you are dealing with, and have made you go quiet.
What did Jesus say about our problems? I went back to His words in John 14 v1-3 as He comforted His disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am”.
I was struck with two things which Jesus said, and maybe what He didn’t say. He pointed to our belief in God, and then He went straight to a place after our problems, to a statement of eternal safety and security. I love the description of the Father’s house. There is room for all who trust, and a place where our troubles fade into insignificance. Even when we go quiet, and carry some burden alone. I notice that Jesus didn’t give us any solutions on this side of Heaven. That may also be due to the fact that many people will carry something that makes them go quiet, to the grave, where they will be safe, forgiven and forgotten. For reasons I don’t know or understand, it seems we are only encouraged to trust in God, and look ahead! That’s a real act of faith.
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