The Point Past Words

The American dream is dead and we killed, our churches are dying while we sit speculate ways to solve the problem. Today’s culture has been pulled so far into self-help feel good theology that should a problem arise all we aim to do is remove whatever is causing us the discomfort. In curing only the symptoms the root of the problem remains and this doesn’t seem to bother us unless the discomfort returns. If we keep living this life of comfort the root of whatever the problem is will some day over take us like an unexpected tidal wave.

I too am guilty of sitting and watching the world fall in on itself, I was only able to gain glimpses of what was truly happening. Now that I am unable to convey my thoughts through speech I can only react to what is going on around me. In watching others I’ve noticed that in most cases we’re willing to only offer halfhearted solutions and then allow any form of action to fall by the wayside. Talk is cheap and actions ask far to much of us and this of course is no way for a Christian to live life.

Our God is not just a disembodied voice or words on a page, He is active in the world and His words took on flesh. Even though our words don’t hold the same power as the Lord’s they too can become flesh in our acting upon them. Our words often fall on deaf ears or hard hearts so live louder than the words you speak and through your actions He will be known.

Speaking Louder Than Words

We speak without thinking and spew unintentional word we find that far to often we’ve painted ourselves into a corner with words we have spoken. Whether the words spoken are hate filled, lies, slander, or what have you an unguided tongue always leads down paths you never plan on going down. It’s easy to speak lies, but it’s impossible to live them and in this way or lives must speak louder than the words of our mouths.

I’ve found that what I lack in speech the way that act, hold myself, and live speaks louder than the word of my mouth. It’s been 2 weeks, 2 long weeks spent watching and listening to others and how they not only treat me, but others around me. Who you are is cannot be portrayed by words alone, but the way that you live life must be a foundation and testament to the words we recklessly hurl at others.

What does the way you live your life say about you?

Stay your words and live out loud, because you can always fake your words, but life is more than words alone.

Dealing With Silence

It hasn’t taken long to see the effects of my silence on both my self and those I surround myself with. The first 2 days of Lent I found myself alone in my house doing random odd jobs and just relaxing, however being both alone and silent (even though there was no one to talk to besides my dog) brought about the feeling of seclusion and loneliness. On that Friday I spent 8 hours in a car with one of my best friends, as we drove down to Iowa that same sense continued to wash over me even though Dom was there next to me. Writing barely legible messages elevated this feeling however it did not completely subdue it. Spending time in Iowa with both Dom, Crystal (my girlfriend),Crystal’s mom, and Liv (Crystal’s youngest sister) allowed me to sit back and reflect on this feeling. I have found that I was truly never alone, but instead I was finding myself in the presence of God as He is the only one who has been the only one to hear my voice consistently.

Being still and knowing that I have yet to be alone and that I never will be alone has been a reassuring break through for me in this pursuit of silence. It has also opened my eyes to how often the voice that we use on a daily bases drowns out those around us as well as God. This has become an attempt to redeem the words that I at one point carelessly threw around because now my voice is seen and not heard. Writing everything I have to say down allows me to see what I’m saying and forces my hand to write intentional words. My voice is more than speech and is more than pen and paper, it’s the actions I take on and the way I live my life daily basis. I do look forward to verbally speaking into the lives of those around me, but for now I will be still and know that God is with me.

A Silent Tongue and Open Eyes

Living the past few days with out speech has brought about a fresh take on the world and the way that people interact with each other, as well as how I view myself. It has become ever more apparent to me how impersonal society has become as I have yet to have a problem obtaining what I want from the community that surrounds me. To buy food all I really have to do is head to Meijer and use one of the many self scan checkouts, the same can be said with buying gas at the pump. I have found that I could easily go through life without having to reach out to other people if I wanted due to how impersonal the world is becoming.

In knowing that I could completely seclude myself from the outside world shows me that there must be a want or need for a market centered around impersonal means. We are letting go of one on one time and developing relationships with pixelated  face on computer screens and static voices through loud speakers and cellphones. As a Christian this breaks my heart to see that experiencing creation in real life is less valuable than the time saved to say hello to a person when buying gas, groceries, or what have you. I have given my words to find that in all honesty I don’t need them in a changing world that is becoming less and less relational.

The Pursuit

For Lent this year I have chosen to give up my verbal speech, however there are rules in which I’m following that allow me or in some cases force me to speak.

-I can not deny anyone the Gospel.

-I must keep others as well as myself safe and may talk in an emergency.

-I am allowed to sing praise songs.

-If a Prof. calls on me or I have project that requires me to speak I will do so.

-On Sundays if I so choose to speak I may, however I most likely wont.

The words in which we speak a precious and should be used with full intent of honoring God and building others up, yet far to often I find myself loose lipped and spewing words unnecessarily. The lack of external speech will allow me to spend more time focused on prayer and thought. The only concern I have thus far is the potential pride that may come from this and if I feel that this sacrifice of words has become about me and not God I will gladly give it up. On the same note if in anyway this silence has adverse effects others or myself I will give this pursuit up.