Learning to Be Silent

Have you learned to be silent?

I know that sounds like a strange question. I mean, is silence something that even has to be learned?

From the time we enter this world, we yearn to communicate. First with a cry, then a word or two, and finally sentences. But I was reading this quote from Charles Spurgeon the other day, and it stopped me:

“Faith can hear the footsteps of coming salvation because she has learned to be silent.”

I thought about all the times I’ve brought things to God. Pushing, pulling, and dragging them behind me. Even talking about them the whole way as I ‘try’ to lay them at His feet.

More often than not, as I head back out to greet the day ahead of me, I find the things I meant to leave behind are still attached to my heart; they still consume my mind.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

Maybe that is one thing that Spurgeon was trying to remind us. When we bring our anxious thoughts and concerns before the Lord and give thanks for the answers we don’t yet have, we are able to walk away with a peace that surpasses understanding. Our faith is silent, waiting, trusting our God to move on our behalf. Not trusting Him to give us exactly what we asked Him for, but trusting that He is working. For He is already moving to save us and redeem the situations we find ourselves in.

Hearing the steps of coming salvation requires silence, friend. Who wants to be still with me and listen?