The Silence of the Lamb

True, it is a childhood favorite. It has probably been played by untold millions of children. But I still hate it. The Quiet Game. It wasn’t that I couldn’t be quiet; the game just didn’t have enough action or excitement. Were you any good at this game? Maybe you were your class, school or family champion! You may have gone undefeated, doggedly clamping your mouth shut, unwilling to make a sound. As good as you may have been, I know someone who could have outlasted and out-quieted you! Jesus. He would have been the undisputed world champion.

Jesus showed his powers on several occasions. No sound made in Pilate’s court. Herod heard very little either. The blind man in Mark 8 was led out of his comfort zone into the wilderness with no commentary on the scenery or the route offered by Jesus. Jesus was simply unflinching in His ability to hold His tongue.

It is excruciating. It is inevitable. There are just times when it seems like God in locked in an unending quiet game with us. We lean forward with baited breath longing to hear that still small voice, the whisper, the smallest sound, only to hear nothing. The Silence of the Lamb can be annoying, frustrating, discouraging, and certainly frightening. The most frightening aspect of God’s silence is that far too often the lack of dialogue or response causes us to take matters in our own hands. We make crucial decisions, choices and take detours in our journey merely hoping that we have done the right thing. We are unsure, nervous, filled with trepidation and doubt because there was no sound. This brings me to one of the portions of scriptures that we quote but seldom trust. “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by God.” Silence is too often seen or heard as a license to do as we please. No noise – we go it on our own. I challenge you to understand that silence does not equate to lack of guidance, lack of leading, or lack of concern or involvement on God’s part. He is simply ordering our steps. He won’t speak until it is necessary.

Don’t stop serving! Don’t stop walking! Don’t stop doing what you are doing until you receive different orders. Grow comfortable in the silence. Listen to the volume of silence. The absence of His voice may very well be the loudest indication that you are on the right path. No Words? No Worries!