I enjoyed rereading todays refresh post. Number 5, “Silence releases us from the oppressive bondage of always having to have the last word” resonates with me, and I think it has something to say to us during challenging times. It’s a short post. Hope you enjoy it.
Refresh: 10 Reasons why Silence is Golden
We live in such a noisy world. Getting ourselves heard can be a real problem. With everyone else so busy talking, no one really seems to want to listen to what we would like to say. Should we care? Here are 10 reasons why silence and being silent can be a virtue…
1) The Psalmist advises: Be still and know that I am God. When we speak too much we often start to think that we are God. Silence reminds us that we are not.
2) When we are silent, we often really hear what the other person is saying, and sometimes even begin to understand why they are saying it.
3) When we are silent, we realise that God is not. Trouble is that He speaks in soft tones. Our voice so quickly drowns out His. When we are quiet, we are able to hear the gentle whisper of God.
4) Some wag has quipped, “Better remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
5) Silence releases us from the oppressive bondage of always having to have the last word. We can say what we feel we should say, without needing to trump someone else’s comment. And when we don’t respond to a slur or an unfair remark, we remember that life’s highest call is not to look good – but to do good, and to genuinely be good, regardless of what others say.
6) Those who are usually silent most often actually say something when they speak.
7) Silence teaches us to communicate without having to use words.
8) Our remaining silent can help others to find their voice.
9) Silence enable thought before words, rather than the usual default of words before thought.
10) …
A shorter post than usual… I guess that is as well. As always, nice chatting…
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- Refresh: A Time to Speak - 10 Reasons to Speak Up - Brian Harris - […] Refresh post is the other side of last weeks. This time we look at not when to be silent,…
Hi Brian, this is so counter-cultural (Western, 1st world). How many minutes, or seconds, of silence was there in the last church service? I have been involved in more contemplative Christian services and they attract only a few people. Contemplative groups within churches are usually very much on the margin of church life. It has taken me a few decades to embrace more rhythms of silence in my life.
Sadly I think you are right, and we are all the poorer for it.
My favourite – Reason number 10.
I must admit, number 4 really hits home too… mostly because I’ve lived it. ? Let’s just say I’ve had more than a few moments where I opened my mouth, thinking I had something brilliant to say, only to realise later that silence would’ve been the wiser (and far less embarrassing) option. A hard-earned lesson… but at least now I can laugh about it!
I rather like number ten as well!
Comment *Number 3 speaks to me. When we become the spelling police correcting realise being instead realize, when we become our mouth police correcting its outward noise, we might see with real eyes what God is saying after all.
Thanks Todd. Being quiet long enough to hear God is so important.