Growth

The Assent of Silence


In Regarding Henry, Harrison Ford memorably quipped to his movie daughter, “Silence is taken as assent.” (If that’s not verbatim, my apologies. It’s been years since I’ve seen the movie and a quick Google search was no help.) The title character makes this declaration in an effort to justify yet another night away from his family, a justification that in the film, he soon regrets.

Although the line may not be a good governing standard for human relationships, it does offer us some advice to heed when it comes to our relationship with God. I was reminded of this fact recently when, as I mentally griped about the rough day I was having, the soundtrack of a worship song played almost unconsciously in my mind. As I was mentally throwing myself a pity party for all that hadn’t gone as planned, my heart was singing, “Savior please rescue me.” The contrast was remarkable. It was as if my soul knew the proper response, even when my flesh didn’t.

What I recognized this duality – singing a song of adoration while bemoaning the unrealized expectations of this life – I immediately knew that the problem was that I hadn’t taken the problems I was experiencing and brought them to my Savior. I knew that instead of grumbling about what I hadn’t received, I needed to stand silently before His throne as I reminder of all that I had been given. Instead of loudly declaring the injustices I was suffering, I needed to silently assent to my Father’s will recognizing that it is His job to call the plays, it’s my job to follow. If I’m too busy talking, I won’t hear what He’s saying.

This is not to say we aren’t authentic in our prayers. I believe God wants to hear our needs, and is in fact honored when we take our requests before Him. However, so often when I pray, it’s about telling the Lord what I want, what my desires for this life are and how I think things should be. There must be times of listening too, of having our hearts silent before the Lord assenting to what He will reveal and what He has already called us to be. Times where our opinions cease and our obedience begins.

***Update**** – In God’s good providence, after writing this blog, my before-bed reading began with the following, “Deep silence leads us to realize that prayer is, above all, acceptance” – Henri Nouwen, With Open Hands. Truly, silence is assent.

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Growth

A Road Often Travelled


As is common in Southern California, I commute to work. As is uncommon in Southern California, my drive goes against traffic, which means, that although my car accumulates mileage much faster than cars across the rest of the nation, my drive is much more pleasant than most of other commuters. What this also means, is that it is very easy to relax on my way to work. In doing so, there are times that my attention to my surroundings is lacking. More than once I’ve been driving along, and I look around, surprised at where the journey has already taken me. (Before you get concerned, I do pay attention to the cars and other objects in proximity to me; I just don’t always pay attention to the landscape.) Less frequently, there have also been times when I’ve noticed my surroundings and asked myself “wait, am I on the right road?” It seems to be a place that I’ve never been before even though its part of my regular commute. A few seconds later, I’ll realize this and wonder how I could have gotten so confused to begin with.

The cause of all this uncertainty is that when I’m on a familiar path, my attention tends to wander. I think I know where I’m going so I don’t have acknowledge the signs and the signals as I must when it’s a place I’ve never been before. I relax in my commitment to awareness and as a result I find myself asking, “Wait, where am I?”

As a long-time Christian, this also happens in my walk with God. When I get comfortable, when I get complacent, I stop paying attention to the signs and the signals along the way. My commitment to diligent watching fades and I get to a place where I ask “How did I get here?” and “Wait, where am I?” I think I’m on the right road and hit cruise, only to have my attention called to an unfamiliar sight and I must question whether I am in fact, walking the intended path. Thinking I’ve been down the road before, I neglect the practices that got me safely there to begin with.

This is no good thing. Just like driving is a “privilege not a right” a close walk with God is not a guarantee, even for believers. We must continuously do those things that make us aware of how God is leading. Even on familiar paths, we must pay attention to His directions. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in a place where we look around, surprised, and ask “Are we on the right path?” and regret the answer.

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