Love (at times) Looks Like Silence
For several months, our transitional pastor has been present with us, there are many biblical lessons shared from the pulpit. One that resonates and one that he demonstrated again (just this Sunday) from the pulpit was the humble practice of closing one’s mouth and nodding one’s head forward in affirmation. Even now, as you ponder that previous sentence, maybe you have contemplated this profound practice.
When words come to mind during a heated debate, words you know will cut the other person deep, nod your head forward, hold your lips together, and say nothing.
When driving down the roadway and when another driver cuts off your path, nearly causing you to wreck, hold your tongue, keeping the explicative words deeply held within and simply nod your head, realizing that possibly the other driver is totally unaware of what he just did.
When speaking with your spouse, and the conversation takes a turn, maybe even stepping all over your toes, when you have a plethora of words to say but know you shouldn’t, then simply take a breath, close your mouth, and nod your head in agreement, for most probably, what your loving and godly spouse speaks is truth about us, and truth about ourselves is often hard to hear.
Words have significant impact. They hurt another deeply; they bring certain blessings; they tear others down; and they bring healing. It is truth: hurtful words linger longer than sweet, uplifting words. Solomon, the one who was granted great wisdom by Almighty God, writes these words, ones recorded in the Holy Bible, to help us in our daily lives.
“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” (The Proverbs 10: 19 NASB)
Love (at times) Looks Like Silence
There are certain men in our church who come to mind, men who are, by nature, quiet men. These men are not naturally men of many words; however, when they do speak, their words herald truth, significance, and intelligence. We can all aspire to be less vocal and quieter, especially since we know the Bible tells us: sin does not stop by voicing words, by multiplying words, but by the prudent practice of holding our tongues. Might we allow the Lord’s Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives, to lead us to become more careful with our words? May we pray to the Father, asking the Lord to help us place a guard over our mouths, to help us become good listeners, better ones, in fact, then we are orators who have a platform to speak. In doing so, we become more loving, more like Jesus.
Solomon continues by reminding us of the difference found between the wise and the foolish.
“But he who restrains his lips is wise.
(The Proverbs 10: 19b-21 NASB)
The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.”
Today, you might find yourself asking—
Can I sit in silence?
Am I able to become absolutely quiet for five minutes?
When engaged in a conversation with another, can I listen fully before I respond?
Today, might we develop the practice love by becoming silent, as we also develop the skill of listening well. This will take practice, for a habit can only form through repetition. So, as we do this repeatedly, we will build a habit, a beautiful habit.
In closing, one of the best ways to begin this practice is to begin with the Lord, of course. Just as Jesus did, let us learn how to consistently begin the habit of slipping away early in the morning while the sky remains dark: Spend time alone with God—in quiet. Be still. Meditate. Pray, just as the Son of God taught us to do.
“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” (The Gospel According to Luke 5: 16 NASB)
AND
“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” (The Gospel According to Mark 1: 35 NASB)
AND When the Lord Jesus Christ was facing the reality of His upcoming crucifixion, the Bible records:
“And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives;
(The Gospel According to Luke 22: 39-41 NASB)
and the disciples also followed Him.
When He arrived at the place, He said to them,
“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw,
and He knelt down and began to pray,”
Just as the Savior did, might His followers also do. Make it our practice, our habit.
- Get away alone to spend time alone with God.
- Be still and meditate upon the Father.
- Pray, seeking the Spirit’s guidance for the upcoming day.
Then, as the day unfolds, may we recall how we can close our mouths, nodding our heads forward in affirmation, recalling how Love (at times) Looks Like Silence.