All was not proceeding as anticipated. He had been overlooked, bypassed for a promotion again! Thoughts that maybe he was with the wrong company began to percolate as his career floundered. In a discussion with his manager, it was suggested that his perspective was skewed by ambition. The ambition was seen as a positive quality but the manager encouraged him to be patient and focus on the job in front of him. He was assured all would work out.
In his drive for success - to perform well, earn recognition and advance in the company he was very much caught up in the “now” of his career. The manager’s words were not comforting yet he heeded the advice. The silence on the promotion front actually helped put the emotions he was feeling into perspective and proved formative in the young man’s development.
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. … Then he took (Jesus’ body) down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb, … one in which no one had yet been laid. – Luke 23:44-45, 53. This was not what the disciples anticipated. Their hope was that Jesus would establish Himself as a worldly king that would conquer the Romans and put each of them in key positions of power. The jubilation around Him riding into Jerusalem was replaced with frustration when He was arrested. Witnessing Him crucified, dead and buried brought absolute devastation. This was a silent time - Nothing was going as they anticipated and the silence was deafening. Yet the silent time proved critical for the disciples to process the emotions of the last few days, the emotions that were distracting them from what He had said must occur. Soon the Light blasted through the darkness that had overwhelmed them and all became clear.
Silent time provides an opportunity to process emotions that can distract from real issues. Real issues can include a job situation, health crisis, challenges in the marriage relationship or a rough time with kids. Silent time will keep the emotional knee-jerk reaction to a situation in check and provide perspective for a more rational response to the issue. Silent time with our Lord gives Him a chance to shed Light on the situation and all will become clear.
Prayer guide: Lord, Thank You for Your word that keeps all in perspective. I confess my reluctance to get silent when emotions ramp up and praise You for the Light You have shown on situations I have faced. Help me be more disciplined in spending regular silent time with You through prayer, scripture and fasting. Grant me discernment to navigate through the distractions in this world and embrace Your Light that makes all clear. Amen.
A faithful father spends regular silent time with the Lord.
