Standing on God’s Word Through His Silence
Today while at work I got a text from a friend of mine. I met her through my ex-boyfriend and she was inviting me out to hang out at this place called Red River. Now my ex and I were just talking about how we loved when we hung out at Red River! That was actually one of our first date nights out with friends. We were LIT! Edibles, drinking, music and friends. From location to location, we just had a blast. But from then to now, there has been an undeniable transformation in my life. Though I can look back at that time and remember the fun I had, I can also see the potential dangers (even if sober).
I was sitting, thinking of how to respond. First I was questioning if I still wanted to go since my ex and I had just talked about it saying we have to go back. Then I was questioning if I still wanted to go because I missed seeing the group as a whole. Lastly, I questioned if it was even wrong to go. Through it all I notice, in hindsight, that my conviction wasn’t there. I didn’t feel a push to stay away or see red flags flashing. However, knowing I didn’t have that feeling I decided to base my decision on scripture and what I knew about God.
Was the music honorable to God? If I am purposely avoiding certain music in my daily routine, why should I invite myself to be filled with music I cannot control? If I don’t drink, would it be sound to tempt myself just by being in like company with hundreds of people who are? How can two walk together, lest they agree? What is my attendance saying, not concerning people, but to God?
In that moment I decided I wasn’t going to go, and that was half of the battle. Next, I had to find a way to relay that I wouldn’t be able to come. I didn’t want to come off extra churchy or condemning. I also didn’t want to be blunt, because through life I have had the tendency and it is unintentionally offensive. After several backspaces and restarts, I found that there is a way to be honest without giving too much information. Sometimes, we express more than what people ask for and the devil get’s in the details. Right after texting her that I wouldn’t be able to go since I am trying to avoid different scenes (concerning music and I don’t drink anymore) she immediately invited me out to something else that I could attend.
In that moment God showed me that not only could I stand my ground in him, I could do it without causing offense and without being shunned or discarded. It’s ironic that this happened at this time, right after I posted on trust. This was a trust exercise in itself, for me and for God.
I realized that God was silent for a reason. Sometimes God will be quiet to see how you will move without his incentives. Will you choose Christ even when your Holy Ghost is still? Will you remember scripture even when God’s still voice isn’t there? Will you take the place of your Holy Ghost in convicting yourself? Can God trust you? Do you really love him?
When we think about Job and Abraham and Enoch..these were men that walked with God and were perfect in their generations before the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. So even when God is silent and His voice is still, do what you know. His word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against God.
Someone wise said, “when you don’t know what to do, do the last thing that he said”, and I can’t agree more.
