Grace Awakening

I was out walking the other night on what is called the Rail Trail.  It is a former rail line that has been asphalted over to make a nice place for people to walk, run, bike, rollerblade, and any other form of non – motorized transportation.  It is a beautiful place to walk with all the trees and wooded land that it runs through.  For me, it is becoming a place to go and let out the hurt and pain of this world.  It is becoming a place for me to walk with God.

I went walking last Wednesday night because my heart was becoming overwhelmed with hurt and fear of what the next day would bring.  As I walked the first three miles I poured out my heart to God and begged Him to change my situation.  I was trying to figure out the solution to the situation, a way to end the hurt that had done so much damage.  I came to the halfway point of my walk which is at a place where the river that runs near the trail makes a bend.  I stopped and looked down onto the water that flowed obliviously below.  Above, the evening sky was turning its golden light toward the horizon and casting the orange and purple hues against the little, puffy clouds.  From below came the refreshing smell of the river.  I stopped briefly and made a phone call before heading back.

As I walked, my mind slipped back into gear, and I started going over the problems and the prayers to God.  I asked Him to help.  I envisioned the fiery cherubim from Psalm 18, but God had something else in mind.  As I walked a verse came to mind.  Cease striving and know that I am God.  I didn’t.  Cease striving and know that I am God.  I slowed my walk and stopped working the problem, and then I listened.  Then something amazing occurred.  For the next twenty minutes or so, I was alone on the trail.  No one passed me.  I was alone, and I was listening.  There was the intermittent sound of traffic passing on the road just past the trees to my left.  From every direction the birds chirped their night songs.  There was the chirping and occasional croak of the frogs and the drone of the crickets.  In the distance I could hear some men working on a roof.  And . . . there was the silence.

In those moments I was reminded of two very sure things.  First, I was reminded that God loves me very much.  Regardless of any situation He loves me with a passion.  How do I know that?  If God cares so much for the animals in the woods that night and provides for their every need, how much more does God love and care for me – His prized and special creation (Matthew 6:25-34)?  In the song that the birds sang, in the chirp of the frogs, and the chatter of the crickets I could hear the song of praise to the Creator for His provision.  I am passionately loved by the God of Creation.

The second thing I was reminded of is the power of God’s silence.  When I cease striving against the hurt and difficulties and trying to figure a way out or trying to bribe God into doing what I want then, and only then, will I give ownership of the situation to God.  In Job there are 36 chapters of dialogue between Job and his friends.  In 4 chapters God speaks.  Job’s response, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?  I lay my hand on my mouth.  Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; even twice, and I will add nothing more.  I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.  Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?  Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You , and You instruct me.  I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore, I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.”  (Job 40:4-5, 42:2-6, NASB)  When Job stopped talking he could listen to God.  When Habakkuk sat up on the watchtower, he could see God move (Habakkuk 2).  When Elijah heard the still, small voice he could hear God (1 Kings 19:11-14)  When Mary and Martha waited through the four days of silence their lives were changed (John 11:1-45).

God desires us to be silent.  It is in the silence that God moves.  It is in the silence that God speaks, when all other voices and noises are pushed away and our hearts are focused on Him.  He does not try to compete with the tumult.  He does not fight against the boggling busyness of life.  He simply commands silence and waits for us to obey and give Him our undivided attention.  When He has our silence He can show us again who He truly is and the mighty power that belongs to God alone.  In the silence we will come face to face with the awesome reality of our awesome God.

I am looking forward to another long walk.