SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY

Tag: Less Talking

  • Without a voice

    I’m not sure I have ever been this long with little to no voice.  Funny how it happened right after I preached a sermon on Sunday, which went fine.  Not having a voice has had an interesting effect on me…

    I’ve had a lot of time to think.  School is complete and I am unable to run.  This time of thinking has been good.  As I was thinking about this really minor problem that will correct itself soon, these two important things came up:

    –Not having a voice has given me the opportunity to listen more.  I try not strain my voice to say anything unless I think it really needs to be said.  It has definitely caused me to stop and think before I speak…not something I do often enough.  When it requires effort to say something, you want to make sure what you say counts.  This has allowed me to be quiet and have the opportunity to simply listen.  It has been an opportunity to not only listen to others, but also to listen to God.  All too often, when I pray, it is me talking and God listening.  This type of prayer isn’t building a relationship, but more unloading my list of things I need help with.  It could be called my “God-do” list rather than the “honey-do” list.  If this is my only prayer, I am missing opportunities to fellowship with God, to worship, and to hear.  Being silent allows me to reflect on what God is doing.  It allows me to worship without asking for anything.  It allows me to focus on the Creator of it all and appreciate what he has made and is doing.  May God continue to work on me with this, even after my voice returns.

    -It brought to mind those in our world who have “no voice.”  There are people all over the world that truly have no voice.  I don’t mean that they cannot speak literally.  I mean that they are ignored, treated poorly, abused, abandoned and/or forgotten.  There are people who have found themselves in situations that they are screaming for help but no one can hear them…or at least no one chooses to hear them.  I thought about the often quoted Matthew 25 and “the least of these.”  Maybe God has given us ears to hear…not the things of this world…but ears to hear those shouting to be heard.  Maybe God is giving us eyes to see…to see those who have been forgotten or abandoned.  Maybe God is giving us hands to reach out…to show others that they are somebody…to bring them to the table and fellowship.  Maybe God is giving us feet to go…to those places where he leads, no matter how scary…so that we can visit those who need HIM.  Maybe, just maybe, taking care of the least of these is not just feeding…but loving, supporting, and giving voice to those who have forgotten they even have one.

    I’m praying that God will allow me to hear…to see…to serve…and to go!

  • Perspective Shift

    They say that you never know what you have until it’s gone.  I somewhat disagree.  I think that you really realize what you have when there is the realization that it could be gone in the blink of an eye.  You know those life changing moments where you realize that what is here today could be gone tomorrow and your perspective begins to change.  I think it changes even more as I get older.  As a young person, considering the end of life is difficult…it is as if I will live forever and all things will just continue until then.  But, there is something about aging.  While I am still “young”, my perspective is definitely taking a shift.  My friend gets hit by a car on his bike and found out he has cancer.  A young 16 year old is dying from cancer.  My Dad has been gone for 1 year after his battle with cancer.  My oldest daughter is driving and dating.  My youngest is cheering and growing up.  And…I hit a milestone birthday.  I’m always excited about birthdays…I am in way better shape now than 20 years ago.  I feel great and am thankful.  I have a wonderful wife and a beautiful, loving family.  This 40th birthday is exciting…but doesn’t come without me considering that each day is a gift.  I approach 40 with eyes that are opened a little more than usual…I am blessed if I just look around.  I approach 40 with ears that are a little more attentive…I can hear the voices of those I love if I just listen.  I approach 40 with my mouth closed a little bit more often…what I say isn’t nearly as important as what I do.  Words are super important…but most effective when backed up by actions.