 |
Job 29:21
English Standard Version (ESV)
“Men listened to me and waited
and kept silence for my counsel. |
How many times have you called someone and left a message? How many times have you sent someone an e-mail or text message? How many times have you attempted to communicate with someone and you get no response, no return communication, as to complete the communication understanding loop?
As a pastor, I often leave messages and do not get a return message and I find myself trying to understand what that lack of communication is saying? Regardless of the answer, sometimes a persons silence can speak louder than their speech or text.
To truly understand people we must get an understanding of them, not just through verbal conversation, but silence and gestures as well. Is that person not responding because they don't want to hurt you or embarrass you by their response.Is that person angry or hurt by something that you did or were responsible for? Does fence mending need to take place for complete communication and understanding to exist?
Yes, the sound of silence can speak volumes to how a person is feeling about a relationship or a situation. The book of Job 29:21 tells us of Job thinking about the good old days when things were perfect and others would wait in silence as to seek his advice and councel.
Beloved, our goal for today is not to seek out those in anger that fail to respond to you, but rather read the silence and pray about how to best respond. My prayer for you this day is that you read peoples silence just as much as you read their verbal or written communication. Be wise, pray and seek God's councel before responding in anger or despair. Seek out their silence in wise thought, and then approach them as a listener and one who has sought God's wise councel.
Listening through the silence
Pastor Tim
