Life is one continuous
time of education with no vacations and no graduations. Each day is a new learning experience. The teacher may be a composite of experience,
situational relationships, national disasters, health issues, economic
downturns, personal financial disasters, life successes and God (if we choose
to listen). We have often heard that
experience is the best teacher; however, we have a way of forgetting experience
and will often repeat the experiences over and over again, thus obtaining the
same results. That is why we need to
communicate daily with our heavenly Father to guide our thoughts and direction
in life.
As in
school, we have testing times in the school of life. While we were attending school, we spent much
of our time listening to the teachers to prepare us for passing the exams. In addition to the instruction, the teachers
were always there to help us when we did not understand. The real two-way communication really occurred
at examination time. Does this sound like
the situation relative to our relationship with God? We often only communicate with Him to ask for
help when we do not understand the life lesson or we want something
special. When the testing time comes in
school, we depend solely on what we have learned in order to pass or the “cramming”
the night before the exam. It is during this time of taking the exams that the
teacher becomes silent. He/she may be
silent but constantly observing. Is it
not amazing that we are never more willing to learn than during testing time?
And now the teacher is silent!
One of the most
terrifying times in one’s life is when we call on God for a quick answer or
direction to take and we hear nothing but silence. We cry out to God in desperation and He does
not seem to be paying attention to our cries for help. Notice what David said when he cried out in
desperation; “Listen to my prayer, O God, do
not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught.”[1] Does this express
our thoughts? What do we say to God when
we hear nothing but terrifying silence?
At times, the silence is so loud that it becomes deafening. If we cannot hear God speaking or see the
effects of His voice, does that mean that nothing is taking place or that He
has abandoned us?
We must not forget that life is a
process. We will experience major problems
and disasters like those that we have seen recently with the school massacres
or the storms on the east coast or the personal failures and disappointments. However, we must not give up or give in
because if we have prepared during the learning process and know from where our
strength comes, we will pass the exams with excellence and come out stronger, even
if it seems that God is silent.
How do we deal with the silence of
God? This silence can be a very positive
time for us. His silence helps us to
analyze all the things He has done for us in the past. We remember how He brought us through the
trials and we came forth stronger. His
silence helps us to look at our own circumstances and realize our own
weaknesses. It helps us to tune out the
noises of the circumstances and tune in more intently to His silent voice. It helps us to really trust in Him more. It is when all of personal resources have
been exhausted that His giving really shines through.
An unknown author wrote, “Why am I
unable to hear my heavenly Father’s voice? Is it because I am not
listening? Are our difficulties a source of distraction? Could it
be our heavenly Father is trying to deal with other more pressing issues and
needs in our life? Could it be that we expect a different answer and the
answer received was like the voice of silence?”
God is sensitive to our needs and willing
to speak to us. The secret is to be willing to take time to listen to
Him. Are we listening on the wrong
channel or are we allowing the problems of life override His voice? We may want God to speak in a spectacular way
but He may choose to speak in a still small voice, or in silence. Are you listening? We are encouraged to, “Be
still, and know that I am God.”[2]
We can be sure---He still speaks.
“God isn't late with his
promise as some measure lateness. He is
restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't
want anyone lost. He's giving everyone
space and time to change.[3]
