Astounded by the Silence

The storm last night was fierce.   The winds were so bad that the plow trucks were pulled off the roads and no travel was recommended.  The only ones on the roads were law enforcement standing by closed road signs so that no one would try to pass through them.  We owe them for their quiet work in the storm.

As I looked out this morning, we were lucky, at least in our neighborhood.  I don't see any damage.  There are a few, small tree branches down.  The wind is still blowing, but not like last night.  Internet and cable are down.  The quiet is loud.  My ears seem ache in the quiet.

I feel isolated.  Normally by this time, I have checked my email, connected on Facebook, and traversed my favorite sites on the internet.  Now, I can't.  I can't reach out and connect to those people whom I have come to know and care about because the internet is down, and all I have is silence.  Silence. 

I think about Isaiah who sought The Lord in the storm, and Isaiah found Him not.  I think about Isaiah who sought The Lord in the earthquake, and Isaiah found Him not.  I think about Isaiah who sought The Lord in a small cave, and heard The Lord say in a tiny voice, "Here I AM." 

Silence, the sound of God, greater than the strongest storm or earthquake on earth.  Silence, the gift of God, greater than the heavenly chorus.  Silence as I sit and see the snow fly past my windows.  Silence, the channel to God.  Listen, He is calling you!

Be Still and Know that I AM God! Psalm 46:10

Silence.  Beloved Silence.  When was the last time you heard silence?  Turn off the TV right now.  Shut off the computer.  Turn off the IPod.  Go into your room and close the door.  What do you hear?
    If you are the parent of a young child, you will probably hear someone knocking at the door and asking for you.  Of course, you should go open that door and bring that little one into your lap, and in loving silence, hold that child as you bask in the silence. 
    If you an adult without young children in the home, you might hear noises come into the silence from the outside.  You might hear a dog barking or music playing in the distance.  You might hear children playing.  You might hear birds chirping.  Yet, where you are, it is quiet.  It is silent. 
    Feel this quiet.  Allow this silence to envelope you. Touch this soundless environment.  Hold the quiet in your heart. Open your mouth and do not speak.  Hear the silence.  Does silence have a sound?  Yes, as white is the absence of color, so is silence the absence of noise, not sound. 
    Now, find a comfortable place to sit or kneel.  For it is in silence that we can find God.
   
    Psalm 46, verse 10 says, "Be still and know that I AM God."
   
    For it is in this silence that God wishes to fill us with His Love.  He wishes us to hear His whispers of love.  He wishes to touch our hearts and transform our lives.   He wishes to envelope our lives with His Eternal and Unending love.  He wishes to love us in this silence. 
    Do not break this silence with a word.  Just be still.  Let God move your heart into His Love.  Allow God to be God in this silence.  There is nothing He cannot do.  He does not need to prove Himself to you.  You do not need to prove yourself to God.  God knows what you think before you begin to think.  God knows what you will do before you begin to do it.  Let the silence overwhelm you as God, like a distant thunder storm, moves in to gently lift you into His love.  In this silence, as with two lovers, you begin to feel Him move into your heart.  In this silence, He begins to transform you to bring you closer to Him.  God begins to transform you and purify your soul so that you can be brought into Eternal life. 
    As with Mother Mary, this begins with your yes to Him.  Do not question.  Do not ask.  Simply stay silent and bask in His Love.  Surrender your hearts and souls to Him.  He waits for you in the silence.
    Seek the silence.  Avoid the noise.  Know that He is God.