| God's silence
Learning to appreciate God's silence is part of promoting our spiritual growth. Oftentimes in deepest troubles we experience silence, not clear direction. God's delays are never God's denials; therefore we are to be patient. True faith does not require sight nor sound. In times of God's silence we know it is our faith that pleases him. Oswald Chambers, my favorite theologian, says "God honors us with silence." Faith is an act, not just a theological concept.
One of the most thoughtful books I have read is Phil Yancey's Disappointment With God. He wrote it after having an experience with a young man who got mad at God because He would not respond to him as he wanted God to respond. The young man, a theological student, got so frustrated at four o'clock in the morning after having spent a good time on the floor praying for God's presence, he went out to the barbeque pit, burned his Bible and his textbooks, and turned away from the faith. Phil has written an answer to those questions which people are afraid to ask out loud. "Is the father listening to me? Can He be trusted? Does He even exist?"
I am convinced that God is not afraid of these questions. Too many Christians think that they have to protect Him. His integrity is worthy of every challenge. The deep-rooted answers come through the struggle. God's goal for us is to grow in our likeness to Jesus. He is serious about our growth, so we shouldn't be surprised at the process.
by Fred Smith taken from the article: Promoting Spiritual Growth
__________________  |