Why is it that we seem to be afraid of silence? I think there is something so valuable in sitting in silence before the Lord. I live a life that says pretty much the opposite. I’m surrounded by noise all day every day. At both jobs I’ve been working, there is so much noise. 98% of the time I’m driving, the radio or ipod is playing. When I get home I talk with my family. There’s not a silence in my life. But I can say that something in my heart and soul begins to churn when I’m in a worship service and everything just comes to a screeching halt and we find ourselves in dead silence, where every breath seems to be heard. It’s like this fire that starts to burn inside of me that desires Jesus more than anything else on earth. And yet, these times, where everyone is silent, are few and far between.
I don’t want to sound judgmental of anyone at all, but during those times where things in Jesus’ presence seem so intense, someone always jumps up and has to say something. And many times, I believe it’s because the people in the room are taking the time to be silent before Him and hearing from Him. Yet, I also believe other times are a result of an insecurity and maybe even a feeling of nakedness before a Holy God. But part of me longs to sit with a group of believers and be still before the Lord and just see what happens. I honestly believe that His presence changes things. I don’t think there always has to be an extensive sermon\teaching. In fact, I’d love to have various Sundays throughout the year where a sermon is never spoken, and worship is just a simple guitar or piano playing lightly here and there. In some ways it sounds like they would be so awkward, yet in other ways, I can’t imagine anything more satisfying than just sitting with the Lord.
I think there’s pressure to have a service every Sunday where we have a time of worship, a good ol’ sermon, and go home. And I don’t know about you, but that is not what I want. I want to encounter the living God. His words are more valuable than anything anyone may speak. I don’t want to start rambling, but these are some things that have been on my heart lately. I don’t want to play church. I don’t want to have things in such an order that leave God no room to move. But, more than anything, I want to live in His presence. It won’t always be quiet. Passionate worship can be anything but quiet at times. But I don’t want to neglect the times of pure silence with Jesus. It has a value beyond measure.
I don’t want to sound judgmental of anyone at all, but during those times where things in Jesus’ presence seem so intense, someone always jumps up and has to say something. And many times, I believe it’s because the people in the room are taking the time to be silent before Him and hearing from Him. Yet, I also believe other times are a result of an insecurity and maybe even a feeling of nakedness before a Holy God. But part of me longs to sit with a group of believers and be still before the Lord and just see what happens. I honestly believe that His presence changes things. I don’t think there always has to be an extensive sermon\teaching. In fact, I’d love to have various Sundays throughout the year where a sermon is never spoken, and worship is just a simple guitar or piano playing lightly here and there. In some ways it sounds like they would be so awkward, yet in other ways, I can’t imagine anything more satisfying than just sitting with the Lord.
I think there’s pressure to have a service every Sunday where we have a time of worship, a good ol’ sermon, and go home. And I don’t know about you, but that is not what I want. I want to encounter the living God. His words are more valuable than anything anyone may speak. I don’t want to start rambling, but these are some things that have been on my heart lately. I don’t want to play church. I don’t want to have things in such an order that leave God no room to move. But, more than anything, I want to live in His presence. It won’t always be quiet. Passionate worship can be anything but quiet at times. But I don’t want to neglect the times of pure silence with Jesus. It has a value beyond measure.
1 comment:
i LOVE those times of silence before the Lord too... its such a time of peace... Be STILL and know that He is God.
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