“Silent God” Epilogue and Upcoming Series

Last week’s post, “When God Is Silent,” received a greater response than most of my more recent posts.  The general theme I heard from so many was, “That’s EXACTLY what I needed to hear today.”  I can’t begin to tell you how much that blesses me, to know that God used his perceived silence in my life to speak to others. 

I shouldn’t be surprised by that.  It’s what he does time and time again.  But notice how I put my expected response from God in my own little box?  I was completely thrown by his silence in an area where he’s been so crystal clear for years.

And yet, God knew EXACTLY what some of my readers needed to hear last week.  God chose, once again, to speak to others through this ministry.  It humbles me every time.  And reminds me that it’s never really been MY ministry. I’m just the spectator to God’s agenda and purpose, and he’s given me an amazing front row seat.

So, if you would permit me, I’d like to add one more bullet point to last week’s list.

• Your response to God’s silence in your waiting may speak volumes to others. We can quickly and regularly think that the only way God can use us is by the “stuff” we say and do, especially what we say and do to others.  But God can mightily use our response to him during the silences in our lives. He can use them, as he did with me, to display his character to others who are watching us. Don’t miss these opportunities to let God work in your silences.

Boy, considering this has been on the topic of “silence,” I certainly got a lot of words from it!

Let’s close that chapter for now and move on to what lies ahead in the next few weeks.

I have been struggling with some “widow issues” for quite some time now.  They aren’t new.  Most have been a part of my journey for four years.  The life of a widow is harder than I ever imagined.  But, I’ve also learned more about myself and, more importantly, about God than ever before in my life.

So, what’s different now? Recently I’ve felt a sense that God wants me to take a look at some of the most difficult aspects of this loss and delve more deeply into what my response as a believer should be.

I know that sounds a bit simplistic, but we are ALL struggling with junk right now.  And most of us, myself included, view these struggles from a somewhat self-centered position.  How am I affected by this?  It’s not natural for us to put others ahead of ourselves. Being humble and servant-hearted certainly isn’t my first “go-to” response.  

Even the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Adam and Eve by suggesting that they, too, could be like God, by eating that infamous forbidden fruit.  It’s one of the oldest lies in the Book, literally!  It’s no wonder we think of ourselves first.

I’ll explore areas such as loneliness, emotional sabotage, spiritual warfare, family dynamics and others with an eye towards how God wants us to address them – and how the Bible speaks into these areas.

As I’m sure you can attest, you don’t need to be a widow to be experiencing those challenges!  So my prayer is that the lessons God gives me through these next few weeks can speak to everyone in some aspect of their journey.

Honestly, I don’t know exactly what this will look like and it makes me a bit anxious!  This will force me to be incredibly vulnerable.  I’ve already found myself asking, “What if God doesn’t give me any lessons to share?”

These attacks shouldn’t be a surprise to me.  I DO know that God has placed this concept on my heart, and I trust that he will provide the lessons we ALL need in the weeks ahead.

Maybe you’d even like to place something in my virtual suggestion box!  Just email, text or message me if you have another struggle you’d like to throw into the mix.

I look forward to sharing divine insights with you all, and ultimately become a more effective witness to God’s healing power.

I close with one of my all-time favorite scripture texts, one that applies to every season of our lives.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10