Sounds of Silence

“For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

--2 Corinthians 4: 6-7(NIV; emphasis added)

“The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"”

-- 1Kings19:11(NIV; emphasis added)

A recent conversation . . .

          Sister: “I don’t know what to do.”

Me: “What does the Spirit say you should do?”

          Sister: “I don’t know.”

          Me: “Did you pray and ask for wisdom?

          Sister: “Yes.”

          Me: “Did you listen for an answer?”

          Sister: awkward silence . . .

The ancient Athenians built the Parthenon a long, long, long time ago [go ahead and Google it – it was a L O N G time ago J], and they did a beautiful job.  In fact, the Parthenon is the single most imitated building ever constructed.  Today, we marvel at the beauty of the ruins of what it once was, but at it’s height of beauty and perfection the Athenians themselves didn’t show up to enjoy the architecture.

This building that architects, engineers, and artists around the world have studied and the beauty they seek to imitate was not the goal of the people of Athens.  The people of ancient Athens came to the Parthenon so they could worship the idol of Athena. 

They were after what was inside. 

They were trying to get to God. 

Of course, they were doing a lousy job of getting to God, but the builders of this ancient wonder held what was inside the building in higher esteem that the building itself.

Take your index finger and point to where the Spirit of Jesus lives. 

No, really, go ahead and point.

You are more valuable than the Parthenon.  The Parthenon was built to hold the lifeless work of a sculptor.  The riches that temple held are gone, and the original façade can never be restored, but you were built in God’s image to hold the creator of the universe. 

You are a jar full of all glorious God himself, and unlike Elijah you don’t have to climb any mountains to hear him.  You just have to be quiet and still.

Why not turn off the TV, (finish reading this post and then) get off the computer, stop texting, and ask the Lord to speak to you.  Yes, it really is that simple. 

You see, dear sibling in Jesus, I’m not trying to change you.

I want you to know and experience the Love that is alive and living inside of you right now. 

You ARE glorious, but you’ve got to open the jar. 

Let me close in prayer:

Daddy, I come to you in Jesus’ name, and I ask that everyone who reads this blog would take the time to be still and quiet with you today.  I thank you that your sheep hear your voice.  I receive it in Jesus’ name – Amen.