In the Upper Room devotional on 26th October 2011, the writer drew attention to the importance of silence in our relationships with one another as well as with God. In our increasingly noisy world of easy and instant communication, we tend to see silence in relationships as "a sign of disapproval, rejection, or disinterest."
While this may sometimes be true, we need to understand the value of silence - as a "time out" to draw closer to God so that we can learn to be humble, honest and loving. We need to hear God calling us to a deeper level of intimacy that is beyond words - to be still in order to hear the soft and gentle whispers of His love and grace.
This brings to mind the teaching of Martin Luther of the concept of "Deus absconditus" - the God who is hidden. This is to counter the easier theological teachings that when God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, "everything was inexhaustibly known and available about God."
The theology from Martin Luther's work is to remind us that God's ways will always be a mystery to us. Richard Foster makes the point that "the hiddenness of God" is to increase our awareness to the truth that "God is not at the beck and call of human beings."
We need not be afraid of silence - especially the silence of God. Let us cultivate silence in our lives and to treasure the golden moments of being still in the presence of our loving Heavenly Father.
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ReplyDeleteI don't equate the "hidden ways" of God with "silence". I think most believers find the most difficulty in "tuning-in" to God and His ways. Thanks for your reflections for all can learn from one another.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your comment and response. Yes, silence is not "hidden ways" of God but a way to draw close to God so that we can better understand His hidden ways. Most believers find it difficult to "tune in" to God because they have not been taught the discipline of silent meditation. The hidden ways of God are the times of suffering and times when our prayers do not seem to be answered.
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