Silence
It is said that silence is golden. But is that true when it comes to valued relationships?
I recently asked a group of men how long they would be willing to endure their wives’ silence before they thought something might be wrong. Unanimously, they felt it wouldn’t be long before they wanted to find out what was going on.
The reason the feeling was unanimous was because we all know that prolonged silence in a valued relationship is a sign that something is off.
Now we know that in our earthly relationships involving two human beings, the problem can lie at both doorsteps. But when it comes to our relationship with God, the problem can only lie at one doorstep, and that is our own. This personal responsibility empowers us to take an active role in our relationship with God.
God is perfect; He has never done us wrong, He has never sinned against us, He cannot lie to us, and He does not mistreat us. God has gone out of His way to make it possible for us to have a beautiful and rewarding relationship with Him.
Jesus spoke something profound,
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
He is referring to anyone and everyone who has been born again. Jesus is speaking, but if I am not hearing, it has something to do with me, not Him. Jesus also gave us this advice,
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Our relationship with Jesus is the single most significant relationship in our lives. It merits our attention and focus. To be effective fruit bearers, we must abide in Him and allow His words to abide in us.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
A fruitful relationship involves effective communication. Jesus makes it clear how much He desires for us to be connected with Him and prioritize His words for our lives. This is a case where silence is not golden. Hearing His voice and loving His words are golden.
Jesus is speaking to anyone who belongs to Him; if there seems to be silence, it is because of an issue with one’s hearing. It is not that Jesus is refusing to speak. This is a matter of the heart. When we refuse to soften our hearts and wash our souls with the water of His word, we set up a hearing issue in our walk with Him. It’s never too late to see this get fixed. It’s as simple as softening one’s heart and desiring once again to hear Him speak whatever He wishes to say without trying to filter through our own preferences according to the flesh. By being wide open to hear from Him with a desire to do His will, His voice becomes clearer and more frequently recognized. His love for us is unveiled and the possibilities of adventuring with Him in this life are opened to us. So I encourage you never to let yourself be comfortable with silence.
