Silence.

There are two devotional books that I thoroughly enjoy and often repeat over many times.

You Are My Hiding Place, Lord by Emilie Barnes and the Journey catalogs that I get through my sunday school class each month.

One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from Emilie. You will have to read on to see it... although, I have posted it before. Possibly more than once.

As I was reading a few days ago this one entry in the Journey magazine stuck out to me.

Priscilla was speaking about silence. You know the good ole silence that often makes you cry out even harder because you are desperate for an answer.

She says, He is not only the God who makes the walls of our Jerichos fall down. Although, He is more than able to intervene, sometimes He shows His glory, demonstrates His power, and strengthens His children by His silence.

She then went on to share the story in Matthew where the Canaanite woman called out to Jesus as He and His disciples were taveling. She was begging Jesus to have mercy on her daughter who was "cruelly tormented by a demon" (Mt 15:22). Jesus didn't say a word to her.

silence.

Instead of giving up or retrieving back, this same woman continued to beg Him for help. If you read the story she begs not only once, but over and over and over until she receives a response.

the silence broken.

The sentence that caught me off guard in this devotional is when Priscilla pointed out that "when the woman received no response, she bowed lower to the ground." She continued to humble herself, knowing that she could not do it on her own, and persisted in her request.

God's silence increased the intensity of her pursuit. (Priscilla)

This caused me to pause and reflect on my own life. When I don't hear a response or am going through a season of silence, do I give up my pursuit or do I bow lower to the ground and pour out my heart?

I'm sure there have been times in my life where it's been both of those answers. But here lately the latter is true....

When a thorn is present in your life and the God of all chooses not to remove it for the time being, this often causes you to bow so very low to the ground. In my own life i've noticed how this silence can be very frustrating, but how it keeps me coming back and pouring out so many genuine prayers/requests to the Lord.

intensity.

So I would have to agree with Priscilla, "sometimes He shows His glory, demonstrates His power, and strengthens His children by His silence."

Don't give up your pursuit if you haven't heard a clear answer yet. Choose today to believe that He is doing something even in the midst of silence.
Bow lower friend.

And for the quote that I mentioned earlier -

A godly woman is one who possesses inner tranquility; she doesn't have to prove herself to anyone. She is strong, yet doesn't use her strength to control or dominate; nor does she depend on recognition from others. Hers is an inner contentment and satisfaction based not on accomplishments, position, or authority, but on a deep awareness of Gods eternal, personal love for her. (emilie barnes)

I truly believe that last statement changes everything.... when you are aware of how much God loves you and that it's eternal and personal (not just knowing about it or hearing about it, but truly being AWARE of it) it affects every area of your life. The insecurity fades away. The strivings cease. I desire to live in that place of inner tranquility with Jesus Christ daily.

I want you, Jesus. I want you so very deeply.