Today I was thinking about the power of the silent letter: Car, care, hat, hate.

Simple difference. Changes the whole word, just by adding one letter you can’t hear. It’s presence is known, because you can see it. Just by standing or sitting there in silence, it is able to make a change. I didn’t have time to search the Internet or scour the dictionary looking for words with a silent i or u, but we both know that there are plenty of times where if u or i were silent, it would have changed the outcome.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for boldness, and speaking out, and not being afraid to state your case. But there are instances, probably more than we care to admit, when silence would have been the better choice, ultimately providing the best outcome.
I know that most of the time we want to shout from the rooftops that we are right, and we are smart. We want to proclaim our own goodness. Funny how even proclaim, has a silent i, in it.

Maybe it isn’t so important that we have so much to say. Maybe the great I AM has something to say, and I’m convinced that He can say it in far fewer words. In fact, the one time in history that someone had a right to fight for their honor, and defend themselves, and lay out their case and position, was when Jesus was being tortured. His response?

“He opened not His mouth”

Was He lied about? Yes. Was He wrongly accused? Yes. Was He mistreated? Yes. Was He misunderstood? Yes. Did He open His mouth and rail against His accusers and justify Himself? No.

“He opened not His mouth.”

WOW! That is difficult to do, when everything in us wants to respond and retaliate. We like to climb the mountain and dare anyone to confront us, challenge us, or come against us. We are “king of the hill”, and any opposition will get thrown down. That is not how our King on Calvary’s hill responded.

Have you ever been in an awkward silent situation, where you felt you should say something just to break the silence? You felt like it was your duty to say something, bring comfort, give direction, share wisdom… don’t. Just be there. In your being there, you’ve done enough. Sometimes words are best left silent.

There is a peaceful strength in the presence of powerful silence.

 
this was previously posted at http://www.thirdoptionmen.org/blog/power-silent-letter/.

The Asking Price

The asking price. Nobody wants to pay it. We have become accustomed to getting everything for less than the full value. If we can't get it on sale or if we don't have a coupon, chances are we'll pass. Doesn't matter if it's shoes or shampoo. "What's the best price?" or "What's the lowest you'll take for it?", have become common questions. It has become so prevalent that sellers intentionally mark up their item just so you'll feel good about buying at a perceived less price.


Here's my point. God has an asking price. He wants it all. Everything. All too often we walk away sad like the rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus' answer was "Go, sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and come follow me." You might say, "well that's a pretty steep price". But look at what the young man was asking for. Eternal Life. Is temporary riches more valuable than permanent life? Jesus was essentially inviting him to become the 13th disciple. "Come follow Me". The Bible says Jesus was grieved when the young man walked away, because He loved him.

What in the world do we value more than heaven? More than walking with Jesus? More than being His disciple?

At one point Jesus, who was used to being thronged by crowds of thousands, watched as everybody left, the price He was asking was to great. Then He looked at His 12 disciples and asked them this question, "Will you also go away?". My question to you is this, "Are you willing to pay the asking price?" Or are you looking for a cheaper version? Something that will cost you less?

That was one of the temptations of Christ. "Just bow to me", the devil said, "and you can have it all". It's the temptation that we all face. Do we want it all, or will we be willing to give our all?

Jesus was never one to glorify following Him as a life of ease. He told one "The foxes have holes, the birds have nests, but I don't have a place to lay My head." You still want to come? This is a far different doctrine than one you will hear in most churches today. The Cross? Anyone hear about the Cross? It's where Jesus gave His all! It wasn't a life of prosperity, cars, and homes. Jesus said "If any man does not deny himself, and take up the cross, and follow me, he cannot be My disciple".

You are being summoned by God, "Come follow Me".

Are you willing to pay the price?

this blog was previously posted at http://www.thirdoptionmen.org/blog/price/.