One of my favorite versus comes from the book of Zephaniah:
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 3:17 (King James Version)
In this verse, the word “rest” in Hebrew means “silent.” If we replaced that word, the scripture would read “he will be silent in his love.” Somehow in the noisy world we live in, it sounds oppressive that God would be silent while the rest of the world jumps up and down and exerts every foul sound upon us. If we interpret the Word of God in this manner, I think we miss hearing the larger lesson: First, that God's love unlike the world's interpretation of love does not make us feel we have to do something. God's love is peaceful, kind, and restful. In today's world, who doesn't need that kind of love?
We live in a social environment where everyone is trying through multiple methods to get our attention, our dollars, our minds. They twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blog, email, podcast, broadcast and telephone us. Everywhere we turn, someone is trying to sound off in our direction. After all, if they get our attention won't they impress upon us their needs? Not necessarily. Paying attention to someone requires more than being electronically engaged. It means sometimes being present and being silent. This requires two things we don't do well in this century: 1) actually being physically present with someone (so turning off your phone, computer etc.) 2) Being quiet and silent (even shutting off the list of things to do going on in your mind).
This sounds much easier than it is because being silent and keeping your mind silent requires a form of self control we do not practice often. So why do it? To be silent with someone extends to them the love of God in a manner that God loves us. Being silent helps us connect to God and also feel our humanness, our vulnerability, our need for one another. When you silently care and love one another, you will feel the final portion of this verse, which is God singing over you. There is no greater feeling of love and acceptance. Take time to extend that grace and silence with someone. They will feel God's presence and so will you, my friend.
Peace to you,
Georgia :)
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