The SOUND of SILENCE!

 

There are little ones running around my house on a daily basis. My grandson, his wife and two littles (my great-grandkids) have moved in with us to help them transition back to the Indy area from Virginia. Their goal is to hopefully purchase a home. It is quite the adjustment to the quiet home life Stephanie and I have had for many years. There is constant ACTIVITY and very few moments of peace and quiet. AND when the peace and quiet come, you are always SUSPICIOUS that SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. 

But, Klayton and Keegan do a good job parenting their kids. They have a routine and I am all about routines. A little CHAOS and CLUTTER and NOISE are all a part of the experience! We are just SO HAPPY to be able to help them in whatever way we can. I get my moments of silence. I haven't missed too many naps. LOL! When I get up in the morning there is PEACEFUL, SILENCE throughout the house. I appreciate those moments more than I ever have. 

It might be a little WEIRD that I thought about this as I was reading the book of REVELATION this morning. But the opening line in Revelation 8 prompted my thinking:

"When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were give seven trumpets." (Revelation 8:1-2, NLT)

I am not sure why, but I love the thought of a half hour of SILENCE in heaven.

 I have talked about this before, but I rarely have silence in my life. It seems I always fill my SILENCE with noise, even if it is just background noise. It seems we always have the TV on. Most of the time it is just background noise. Most of the time I don't even pay attention to it. Now it is mostly filled with "BLUEY" or "BLUES CLUES" or some other kid's program. Even if I am watching a YANKEE BASEBALL GAME I am not fully focused on the game. It often is just background noise. 

SILENCE is CHERISHED and much needed.

Right after this half hour of silence in heaven, the chaos begins. TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS break the silence. Hail, fire, blood, mountains of fire, stars falling from the sky, sun, moon, and stars all going partially dark, it is pure chaos and terror. The chaos and busyness of life help us appreciate the brief moments of silence we get to experience.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me will. you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15, NLT)

"'Go out and stand before me on the mountain,' the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the sind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave." (1 Kings 19:11-13, NLT)

We all need a little silence in the midst of chaos, trial, terror, and the busyness of life. Take the time to SIT in the PRESENCE of the LORD and hear his STILL SMALL VOICE!