Loving quietness

I remember as a teenager, I hated quiet moments. I hated them because they often involve an absence of activity and goings-on, and any teenager would tell you that inactivity is simply boring! There’s no excitement at all without action.

However, I notice that over the years, my outlook on quietness has changed. Once upon a time, I tried avoiding it at all cost. But now, I want to seek it, treasure it and hold on to it as long as I can.

I guess over the years, I’ve really grown to discover and treasure God’s presence in times of silence and stillness. For on countless occasions, I have found my inner being burning with nervousness and anxiety. Yet, somehow, the troubled mind and heart can often find peace and calmness when I make an intentional choice to sit still and focus on God. Somehow, stillness brought about power and strength.

Perhaps the greatest strength than any one can find is in moments of silence, action-free. Because it is in those moments that the inner soul can hear the gentle whisper of God saying,
“My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness ~2 Cor 12:9
So, be still My child, I know your way
And I will guide, For My name's sake
Plunge in the rivers of My grace
Rest in the arms of My embrace” ~Don Moen

"Freedom" of Speech

We all live in a society that promotes the freedom of speech. It is a basic common right that every person is entitled to. But, I wonder if people are truly given the freedom to express their ideas and opinions openly. Of course, I understand that there must be certain restrictions on this freedom otherwise people may abuse it to create troubles and dangers by using violent or false language.

However, our culture today seems to pinpoint any one whose speech provokes the feelings and thoughts of the listener, although the speaker’s intention is to endorse truth or encourage peace. In a way, it appears that one can only enjoy the blessing of free expression if his/her expressed opinions and thoughts do not invoke another one’s feelings, even though they may truly benefit the listener.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why many of us, Christians dare not express our faith outside the walls of the church. We fear that others may consider us as “offenders” of peace. We fear that the truth will hurt and offend our listeners, our friends, so, we rather stay silent. Plus, there are so many of them and so few of us. To go against them would mean ‘suicide’.

Nonetheless, this is exactly what we must do if we want to gain all with Christ. We have to deny ourselves, be willing to lose all that we have, even our lives, if we want to follow Him. For “the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). Moreover, the Gospel of Christ will always be controversial in any case. It will be good news to those who accept it, but an offense to those who disagree with it.

People may think that we’re foolish to go against them, to risk our lives. But, let’s not be discouraged. We aren’t losing our lives for nothing. We have simply given all that we have in exchange for something greater- an unending life of joy and happiness with God. If only they knew.

Eyes of faith- the eyes that never need to grow old

At my current age, I wouldn’t dare say that I have seen much of life already. I have so much more to experience in life to learn about it. But, I would have to admit that God has opened my eyes to see so many of His great works in life that I can no longer deny His power and the truths of His Word.

Yet, at times, it seems so hard to believe what God tells me even though I know I can simply trust every word that He says. I find myself being more surprised than grateful when I experience His power working in my life. It’s like I am startled to even see His power work.

I wonder if times of unbelief like these arise because I’ve allowed too much noise from the outside to enter into center stage and stifle the clear voice of God speaking. Perhaps I’ve permitted the harsh realities of this world to rob me of the simple pleasures of childhood; my childlike faith. For if I truly had faith like a child, I would be waiting in eager expectation for Him to work wonders in every situation of my life, be excited & grateful when He gives me new ideas and experiences, rather than taken aback when He does.

As we journey through life, I know it is inevitable for many things to age. Nonetheless, there is one thing I hope will never age- my eyes of faith. I pray that the Lord may help me preserve them so that they will forever remain childlike. I want to be able to laugh gleefully, to sing aloud and to openly express my amusement, just like little children, even when I have grown to a ripe old age.