Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
November 13, 2002 R. Wayne White
Silence
I sat in silence…and did not like what I saw. The television was off, no radio blared out its constant stream of useless and intrusive information, no music from the CD player filled the air, no sounds from my computer were heard, and no member of the family was around for any conversation. There was just…silence. Perhaps the prophet Habakkuk said it best when he said, "The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him." (Habakkuk 2.20) Then of course we know that Solomon said that there was a "time to be silent and a time to speak." (Ecclesiastes 3.7)
I am beginning to understand that in silence we learn more about God…and ourselves. Often we question God and His motives, yet all we hear in return is silence. Perhaps His silence is an attempt to teach us more about introspection, evaluation, and self-disclosure. It seems that if we will do that honestly, His teaching for us will come through loud and clear.
Silent time is a dangerous process for me. It allows me to see more precisely my own flaws and imperfections. It causes me to see myself more clearly in the spotlight of God's understanding. Perhaps that is the reason we use silent time so infrequently. Oh yes…we all use our jobs, our schedules, our children, our spouse, and other excuses for not spending more time in silence with God, but I suspect it is more of a fear of learning more about ourselves that is the problem.
I wonder what kind of congregation we would be if we used silence more often. Would we be more open, honest, transparent, kind, humble, and forgiving? Would we be less haughty, proud, and self-sufficient? I think the answer to both of those questions would be a resounding "Yes!"
Sometime this week I pray that all of us will spend one hour in silence with God. You select the time and place and watch what it will do for you. If it would ever become a regular habit with us, I know that it would change our lives for the better.
R. WAYNE WHITE
Dallas, Texas
