Monday, July 12, 2010

Be Still

One of the hardest things for me to do is keep my mouth shut. If I feel like something needs to be said, I will say it -- for better or worse.

But, sometimes God directs me to "Sit down, shut up, and be quiet."

Okay, He is probably a lot more gentle that *that,* but that's what I imagine He would say if He were speaking audibly to me.

It is in these times of "quietness" that I often don't know what to pray.

I want the pain to go away.

I want the wrongs righted.

I want the misunderstandings talked about and fixed.

I want the muddiness cleared.

I want the weight lifted.

And I want it done NOW.

But, only God can do it, and I wait on Him.



Psalm 46:10 / Zec. 2:13
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy

Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful

Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change

Be still
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still
Be speechless

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father

Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love

Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come

Be still
Be still

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Can You Hear Me Now?

I guess my favorite quote -- the one that challenges me and inspires me daily, is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say."

Simply put, actions are much louder than words.

I can say, "I love you," but if I ignore you, or deliberately try to hurt you, my mouth is going to be moving, but you are not going to hear anything coming out.

Tangentially related is that "perception is reality." It may, of course, be an incorrect reality, but it is, in effect what is "real" to the person. If I am "seeing" something, that becomes what I see as reality.

Every experience we have is interpreted through a filter of past experiences, beliefs, ideas, and preconceived notions. Is it any wonder that being an effective communicator is considered a talent?

As a result, I have been pondering silence. Holding my tongue when I really, really, really want to say something. Some will say that "Silence is golden," but I have found that silence is rarely, if ever, taken to be positive. Therein lies the crux of my dilemma. I want to say *something* to make a situation better, but I feel that saying something will probably just make the issue worse, so I remain silent. And then I begin to wonder if my silence gives the impression that I am something that I am not.

Is my action (or inaction, as it may be) being interpreted in a way that I don't mean for it to be?
Are my actions matching my words?