Wonder - Day 5

The wonder of a promise

Luke 1:21-22
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

It’s taken me a long time to admit it, but I am a talker.  When I was little, my older brothers called me “mouth,” which I hated, so I tried to prove them wrong but here I am, 49 years later, and I’ve finally accepted it.

I can’t imagine what it would have been like for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary with some of the best news of his life, and not be able to shout it from the mountaintops.  Now sure, maybe he was still wondering how the promise of a son could or would be fulfilled, but either way he had seen an angel, and peaked into the other realm.  This was cause for celebration, for sharing, but all Zechariah could do was flail his arms about and maybe write a message in the sand.

But here’s the deal that may seem controversial to some - I think God still speaks and still shows up in our world today. The reason we miss it so often is because we’re so busy, because there is so much noise all around us competing for our attention, and because the devil will continue to do whatever he can to make us think God either isn’t there, or doesn’t care.

Again, maybe this was the reason for the “gift of silence” for Zechariah.  For I believe that when we can quiet the other voices and turn our attention to God, we will hear Him speak.  Maybe it won’t be an audible voice, or a visit from an angel, but maybe it will be a word from the Lord through the Scriptures that speaks to us in a way it never has before, when we need it most.  Or maybe it comes through a sunset that steals our breath away.  Or maybe a friend sends us a word of encouragement, or even of correction, at a time when we most need it.  I believe God still speaks and if we’re open to the many ways He does, we will hear Him.

I remember a hike one day during a difficult season of my life.  I was battling my anxiety and trying desperately to sense God’s presence.  I was up against a decision that needed to be made and I had no idea what to do.

During the hike, I suddenly sat down by a rock and cried. Tears are often so healing, they are the words we can’t say but God hears.  

After the cry, which I needed more than I realized, I took three deep breaths, breathing in some words of truth, “I am God’s child, whom He loves.”. And breathing out, “With whom He is well pleased.”. After those deep breath prayers, I began walking the path again and within a few feet, I saw a plant full of flowers that were in the shape of hearts.  I knelt down and began to cry again, but these were tears of gratitude, not fear or pain.  I believe with all my heart that it was a way God chose to speak to me that day, reminding me that no matter what, He is with me and He loves me.

Had I not slowed down before that clump of flowers, I’m sure I would have missed it.  But thankfully, I did slow down and because I did, I saw God speak.  Wonder what would happen if we practiced more slowing and listening in our lives?

QUESTIONS

1. What’s the most recent “big news” you had to share with others and how quickly were you able to share it?
2. Have you ever had a moment were you felt God was speaking to you in some way or another (a song, a friend, a verse, a thought, etc…)
3. What are some of the biggest sources of noise in your life right now and is there a time in your week that you can set aside to quiet that noise and listen more?