As I continue to
look at the story of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, I am struck that he
is described by the author of Luke as being a priest and a righteous man in the
sight of God. It is said that both he and
Elizabeth “observe the commands and decrees of God, blamelessly. Yet, it was this man who questioned God. I think Luke was very clear about Zechariah’s
faith so that we might know that yes, people of great faith, people who are
even described as blameless, have questions for God and that is okay. Zechariah asks the Angel “how do I know?” Zechariah, the priest. Zechariah, the one who has been chosen to
father the one who would make sure people are prepared to receive the
LORD. Zechariah, the one who follows all
of God’s decrees perfectly. Zechariah
questioned…How do I know?
Many people look
upon what happens next as a punishment.
I am wondering if it were not a gift.
The Angel tells Zechariah this: “And now you will be silent and not able to speak
until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will
come true at their appointed time.”(Luke 1:20) I wonder if God wasn’t given Zechariah the
gift of silence so he could hear the directions of the LORD.
God
has given me very clear directions over the last couple of months to be still
and to wait. It is hard to be still and
wait and to HEAR over our own voice.
Sometimes to hear God’s voice we must practice being quiet. Centering/Contemplative Prayer has been one
way Christians throughout the ages have found their way to a position of being
able to listen for God’s voice. I have provided a link to a website that has
much information on contemplative prayer. Click here to be directed to that website. This is one tool that I plan to begin using
in my own spiritual journey of learning to be still, and wait.
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