The Rest Of The Story

The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.

Deuteronomy 29:29 

 

I was reading an article, by one of my favorite author's, this morning and at first I didn't like his perspective, his point or his point of view.  However, the more I pondered it, the more I realized what a complete idiot I have been for so long.

 

When God is silent, I figure He either is not interested in talking with me or I've "lost my touch" so to speak.  Because sometimes, not matter how many words I use to get my point across to God, I hear only silence. But I discovered something about myself this morning....silence can be deafening.

  

One of the things the article stated was that God doesn't give us the whole story, because we could not handle it if He did.  Can you imagine if God told you how long you would live, what you would face during your life, and the exact moment and method of your passing?  I think my response would be "Okay, that's pretty horrific, so can we just go ahead and end me now?"  

 

God has knowledge that we don't need to know.  But we are stubborn little cusses who think we need to know everything about everything.  We are IDIOTS!  

 

I've shared with you before that during my quiet time, I crochet, using each stitch as a prayer.  Normally, I have no idea what design, if any, to use and I have no idea who to give it to, but God does.  And usually, when I get to the last few stitches,  God doesn't say a word, He merely puts a face in my mind and then I know.  I don't know their story and don't need to.  What I DO know is that in God's Silence, He knows who needs what and when.

God is not silent because He's ignoring us.  God's silence is protecting us because He loves us too much to tell us everything.

 

 

If You Want Someone To Know...TELL THEM!

How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.

~Romans 10:14-17

 

Let me ask you something, can you read minds?  Yes, I know Moms and School Teachers seem to have that special ability.  But can we REALLY know the thoughts of others?  When I was younger, I dreamed how fun it would be to be able to read the thoughts of other people.  Then I contemplated the reactions I would get if people could truly read my mind, and my outlook on that super power changed drastically.

 

As a Chaplain, part of my job is to visit with folks who are in hospital.  But if no one tells me about those in hospital, I don't know to visit with them. I cannot tell you how many times I have been told, "How could you NOT know!"  To which my response has always been, unless someone tells me, I don't know.  

 

Here's today's nugget of wisdom, "If you want someone to know...TELL THEM!"

 

Look at today's passage.  Paul is laying out the logical argument of Christianity: How can people pray to a God they don't believe in?  How can they believe in this God if no one tells them?  How can someone tell them about God if they aren't sent to share this incredible news? 

 

I'm not a fan of yelling at people telling them to "Believe in Jesus or DIE!" Some people respond positively to such a methodology, but I'm not among them.  You see, Preaching doesn't always mean pounding a pulpit and yelling.  I have found that the most effective preaching I do is talking with people...just talking.  Now, I admit that I am usually packing Tootsie Rolls, which is also a great way to start a conversation, but just talking with people has a huge impact.

 

The point of all this is simple: People don't know unless they are told.  So.....TELL them!