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October

My imagination was fired last night by a phrase in one of Oswald Chamber's There are many who say that God is silent, a remote Deity who is not concerned with the thoughts and actions of mere individuals. I happen to believe that this is not the case, and though I cannot begin to explain how He can be at one moment listening to and acting upon the prayers and thought processes of a whole universe; I just have to accept that it happens.

Here's a case in point. I recently wrote that I was starting to look for a different image of God from that old gent with the beard who lives somewhere up there in the clouds. I had started to develop the image of God as an ocean surrounding us with an awesome power yet supplying the needs of the smallest creatures that depend on it; comforting, protecting - those were the initial thoughts that were starting to form. I know that it's not a perfect image, but then all human image of God are by their very nature imperfect, but nevertheless I find it useful in my attempt to know Him better.

The very same evening I turned to the day's reading from Oswald Chambers, and read these words (They're on June 8th of My Utmost for His Highest)
“ If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself—begin to have spiritual discernment."

Now you could say that this is pure coincidence, but I would beg to differ. I see this as God saying to me 'You're on the right lines, John!' and I take it as a great encouragement to continue in my spiritual journey of discovery - of knowing God in a deeper way than I do at present. To get out past the harbor, as Chambers says, and into the great depths of God.

God is never silent. He speaks to us through the circumstances of life, through the beauty of a birdsong or flower, through the crashing of waves upon rocks, through the gentle reassurance of a word in season, a shoulder to cry on, a hand shaken in friendship, an unexpected blessing and through that still small voice that is always there if we have the ears to listen. He is not a silent God.