I've made a recent discovery. One of my current responsibilities at Discovery House has involved going through archives of Our Daily Bread, the daily devotional published by RBC Ministries, the ministry we're affiliated with. My discovery has been the devotional writings of Herb Vander Lugt, a man who worked for RBC from 1966 until his death in 2006. I didn't get to know Herb well, but I do know that he was well respected by everyone.
I think that it's probably a much more difficult task than it would seem, writing a devotional for ODB. The authors must convey something significant, something of a devotional quality, in about 225 words. To a student assigned a research paper, 225 words might as well be an encyclopedia. But to a writer, someone who has something to say, it isn't much. As I've gone through articles, though, I've been impressed by Herb's consistent ability to convey something meaningful every time. The following is one of my favorites, entitled "The Beauty of Silence."
Written on the wall behind the pulpit of the church we attended in my teens were these words: “The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20). And keep silence we did! All eight of us boys said nothing to one another as we sat waiting for the service to begin.
I loved this quiet time and often succeeded in pushing thoughts about girls and the Detroit Tigers out of my mind. The best I could, I tried to reflect on the wonder of God and His salvation. And in the silence I often sensed His presence.
Today we live in a noisy world. Many people can’t even drive without music blaring from their car, or the beat of the bass vibrating their vehicle. Even many church services are marked more by noise than by quiet reflection.
In ancient times the pagans cried out in a noisy frenzy to their idols (1 Kings 18:25-29). In sharp contrast, the psalmist saw the wisdom of silence, because in quiet reverence God can be heard. In the stillness of the night under a starry sky, in a hushed sanctuary, or in a quiet room at home, we can meet the living God and hear Him speak.
The psalmist’s words are relevant today: “Wait silently for God alone” (Psalm 62:5).
3 comments:
I'm trying really hard to "wait silently on the Lord", but it is so very loud at my house, raising 4boys! I'll keep trying though!
It seems that so many modern worship "experiences" have removed the silence that I, too, grew up with. Dare we say the concept of 'reverence' is not taught or learned by example? One church we attended when I was young always sang "God Himself Is Present....All within keep silence..." I like silence...a lot! Thus a charter member of the no-ear-buds society. (NEBS)
I love silence...
Post a Comment