Maybe it’s just me, but – today – God seems quiet.
I started blogging in early 2012. Once a week, without fail. Today is the first “post day” I have not known what to say. That’s a long stretch for today to be the first such day.
I had one idea which I thought was excellent – just ask me – but the Spirit has now shut that down for the third time. So I’m considering it shut down, officially. So much for my “excellent” idea. I just knew it would stop you in your tracks, but we’ll never know. At least not today. Despite praying about it, and seeking the Lord for a creative idea, I don’t have one. And I’ve gone back to the Bible twice. Still, nothing.
I don’t feel depressed like Elijah felt depressed – when he really didn’t want to go on. I have related to Elijah’s despondency before, but today is not that kind of day. I’m not unusually sad. I’m feeling more Charlie Brown than Elijah. I just don’t have my normal new-week juiced-up level of “I can’t wait to write this and see what God makes of it!” Not today.
What’s been different about today?
Almost nothing. Normal wake time. Normal shower. Normal breakfast. Normal drive to work. Normal coffee with normal cream. About as normal as normal can be.
Has anything been out of the ordinary? Strange phone calls? Strange interactions with others? Any particularly shocking news? Any particularly terrible news? Any particular exciting news? Bad hair day?
You guessed it. Nope. Just normal. All normal. Normal. Normal. Normal. The only thing that doesn’t seem normal is me. Because I wanted to hear from God – but He’s been quiet.
So I’m left with no choice. I’ll take up the subject of God’s quietness, trusting this to be His will.
As I sit in the quietness, I’m remembering. I’m recalling times when God wasn’t so quiet. In fact, He’s spoken to me so loudly that I couldn’t miss it! I remember the unique sound of His voice. Not an audible sound, but a powerful, unmistakable voice. A voice like no other. The voice of One who loves me enough to step right into my dullness. A know-it-deep-down-in-your-gut voice. Somewhat unpredictable, yet anchored in unalterable truth. Sometimes as piercing as spring thunder – at times, as gentle as the flutter of a bird’s wing.
Thunderous, yet soothing.
Arresting, yet welcome.
I remember countless times when God has met me and shown me wonderful things! He’s opened up His Word to my understanding. He’s changed and orchestrated my circumstances. He’s given me the words to speak in a difficult conversation. He’s resolved a near disaster that I didn’t think could be fixed. He’s changed my heart when I was bitter. He’s convicted me when I was proud. He’s help me see another side of the story, or the situation. He’s let me see something beautiful about a person I presumed to be an enemy.
He has unequivocally directed my path. When I had no idea, He’s shown me what to do. He’s delivered me from my mistakes. He’s provided when I had no idea how to provide for myself. He has proven Himself to be faithful – so much more than faithful – day in and day out. Year in and year out.
As for me, I haven’t been so faithful. But, every time I’ve asked, He’s forgiven me! Every single time! When I was bitter – and I mean bitter – He’s given me love. Unexplainable love. The kind that I knew wasn’t from me. He has silenced my foes. Boy, has He! If you’re a foe and you’re reading, watch yourself! Better yet, just forgive me. I can assure you that I’m far worse than even you think.
Over the decades of my walk with Jesus, God has given me plenty to ponder. Plenty to study. Plenty to learn. Plenty to write about, and plenty to write. Plenty to preach. He’s never left me feeling abandoned in my calling. Never once. Not even for a moment. Over nearly forty years of sermon preparation, He’s provided resources … and encouragement … and outlines … and energy. And even a little alliteration when I’ve needed it. Quietness. Questions. Quelled. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)
I am blessed. So, so blessed.
Maybe I’m having a quiet day because you’re having a quiet day. And you needed to hear again that the Lord is good. He really is good, even when He seems quiet. Trusting God when we don’t hear Him is vitally important, friends. We all find ourselves there on occasion, if not for a protracted season. And spiritual holding patterns are neither fun nor easy.
Maybe His quietness is just that. After all, it was quiet between Friday and Sunday.
He won’t be quiet forever.
Pastor Charles
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