I have the privilege of overseeing and guiding, sometimes silently, my children doing their home assignments almost every day. Their tender mind and hands needs help most of the time.
The time has come for them to master the art of cursive writing and calligraphy skills. In cursive writing, the more they practice the better they can write neat and smart. But their tender hands can get strain and painful, should they practice it for long.
As I sat near them, I can see that they have difficulty in making the perfect curves and edges. And I know, just a simple stroke of my finger would help them make perfect. My son signaled to me for some help: I remain silent. I am more than ready to help him, yet I remain silent for good.
The other day, we prepared for poetry recitations, bit by bit. When we joined together all the few sentences, they wanted me to give them a lift, give them the starting word of the next sentences. Yet I remain silent most of the time; with me being silent don’t meant I was not with them.
They are in their learning process. I want them to stretch their learning skills as much as they can. Yet I promised my children adequate rest, sometimes a family treat outside, once they master their require skills.
Now when they came back from school, holding a ‘Certificate of Merit’ in their hand, it’s time to celebrate. Happiness and laughter filled the room, at least for some time. And we know nothing is permanent here on earth.
The Silent God (?):
In my short journey of life, I meet some people who doubt the existence of God. The reasons are aplenty. Some asked, Is there a God? If so, why is God silent while we’re going through insurmountable difficulties or adverse moments in my life?
We asked these questions only when we feel stuck or somehow helpless in our life. It is our wish that our miseries get withered away as we signaled towards God for help. And when it didn’t happen, the way we’d expected, some of us simply turned away.
There are many who did not get their desired answer even by talking to God. We talk to God through our prayer, let me remind you. However, there is a purpose larger than any human mind could fathom. Those who talk to God and encounter or experience, could only know the presence of God in their journey of life.
We can take joy in hearing and being in peace with God through Jesus Christ in all circumstances of life. In those times, when we hear His words through the Bible and His servants; and when we are dry, left to be filled as we waited on Him – God is still with us!
Hoping for Change:
Few years ago, my late brother has been fighting crapulence for some years. Whenever we met, I would pray for him, with his consent.
Sometimes we’d take a walk in those familiar lanes, where we’d spend time in our late teenage years. We talk about the love of God, the need to shun habitual practices, for Jesus Christ and our family.
In those days, I strongly believe that our God would hear our prayer and change my brother’s behavior for good. Further, I have this strong conviction that he’d be a change man someday. And that day when I hear the sad news of his demise, I was taken for a shock!
We have acknowledged the need for God’s intervention in our problem but still he succumbed to his crapulence. Sometimes I wonder why God remain silent in this matter. However, I have this strong believe that it turned out this way for our own good.
Some people struggle with doubt while some people doubt because of their struggle. Each one of us has something to struggle with. There’s nothing too small or too big when we struggle, but not doubting on the strength of God will help us overcome with it.
When our God remain silent it hurts us. Moreover, when we try taking the matters in our hands and finding solution on our own, it hurts more and can be damaging. So, when we feel that God is silent we need to get closer to Him so that we could hear more of Him; finding peace in times of trouble.
Jesus Christ comforted us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
When God Says NO:
Here it is noteworthy that we do NOT get saved because of our own good will or work. We are not consumed because the compassion and grace fails not. It is only through the grace of God we become His children.
We cannot bargain with God because of our work. God is an entity which cannot be questioned; God is the supreme authority. And God, sometimes, says no to the request of His servants.
Moses, in his early life, traded his prestigious living advantage in the house of the Pharaohs for the love of his own people – the Hebrews. Moreover, he became the channel and staff of God in leading out the Israelites from captivity.
He suffered with them in the wilderness; lead the grumbling Israelites for years although with God-given authority. The service rendered by Moses to God through his servant hood was more than significant and notable. However, instances from the ‘Water from the Rock’ moments can’t be nullified in the eyes of God.
Moses was forbidden to cross the river Jordan. He pleaded with God to let him see beyond the Jordan – the Promised Land – for which he has struggled with the Israelites. The Lord told him, “That is enough. Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.” In other words, it is the Lord saying NO. (Deut. 3:21-29)
Few weeks ago, when a friend shared us these verses I found it to be very disturbing and disheartening. But it makes me believe more in the superiority of the Lord. He is the Lord, our God through Jesus Christ, who holds the future and knows what is best for His children!
It would be heart-wrenching the Lord saying NO to our pleadings and this never would be our anticipated reply. But Moses respected the decision of the Lord and he simply did not give up, at that very instance! Still, he lived for the Lord till he passed on the baton to Joshua.
Moses goes on to fulfill the remaining work required of him by the Lord, for His people. Do we simply turn away when we don’t get what we pleaded for? Take some time out to think for yourself….. What is our reaction in those situations?
From this we know that Moses was a true and faithful man of God; he understands how the Almighty works. This is how the true men of God acts and reacts.
In the end, the silent moment of God in our lives can lead us closer to Him. A NO to us from God can be a turning point in the mission of God, which further strengthen the lives of others. Sometimes we also say NO or nothing to our children for good.
The Lord does seem to remain silent at times, yet God simply did not forsake or abandon His Children forever!
