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The following was written as graffiti by a believer on the walls of a basement in Koln, Germany as they were hiding out from the Gestapo.
I believe in the sun even when it isn’t shining.
I believe in love even when I am alone.
I believe in God even when He is silent.
One of the hardest things within the Christian faith is the answer to prayer. It's not the answer yes and it's not the answer no. It's the time at which it feels like there is no answer at all. The times of silence. When the heavens are deafening with their silence.
Most of us can handle if God would say no. At least He answered. But it's when God allows us to walk through season where there is no answer yet, that prove to be the hardest. I remember coming across the following passage around the time of reading this book that connected a lot of dots for me:
Mark 5:21–43 (ESV)
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
What a time for Jairus. His daughter is sick and Jesus is known for miracles. As they are walking to Jarius' house, a woman touches Jesus and is healed. Who knew it was that easy?! Immediately following this is the news that Jairus' daughter has died. Too late for Jesus now. I love how Jesus jumps right into the situation with the line: "Do not fear, only believe."
I don't know about you, but that's not quite an answer. That somewhere between yes and no. Unanswered.
How long of a walk must it have been for Jairus. His daughter is dead and his life is hanging on "do not fear, only believe." Sometimes faith requires more than the McDonald's yes and no(s) that we expect from God. Sometimes, if I remember correctly, it is the substance of things hoped for, for that which is yet unseen. Everyone wrestles with seasons where God is silent. Will you hold on to faith? Will you not fear? Will you only believe? Will you take the long walk from the point at which you asked to the point at which God responds?
The above mentioned graffiti is a part of the inside cover of a book called, God On Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer by Pete Grieg. If you recognize the name Pete Grieg, it's probably because you've heard of Red Moon Rising, a book about 24/7 prayer and how he nearly pioneered the modern prayer movement. While Pete was being championed as a hero of prayer, he was also wrestling with the prayer that God had not answered yet. If you're wrestling with a prayer today, this book will be a HUGE help to you. At the time I read it, it was to me.
I believe in the sun even when it isn’t shining.
I believe in love even when I am alone.
I believe in God even when He is silent.
One of the hardest things within the Christian faith is the answer to prayer. It's not the answer yes and it's not the answer no. It's the time at which it feels like there is no answer at all. The times of silence. When the heavens are deafening with their silence.
Most of us can handle if God would say no. At least He answered. But it's when God allows us to walk through season where there is no answer yet, that prove to be the hardest. I remember coming across the following passage around the time of reading this book that connected a lot of dots for me:
Mark 5:21–43 (ESV)
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
What a time for Jairus. His daughter is sick and Jesus is known for miracles. As they are walking to Jarius' house, a woman touches Jesus and is healed. Who knew it was that easy?! Immediately following this is the news that Jairus' daughter has died. Too late for Jesus now. I love how Jesus jumps right into the situation with the line: "Do not fear, only believe."
I don't know about you, but that's not quite an answer. That somewhere between yes and no. Unanswered.
How long of a walk must it have been for Jairus. His daughter is dead and his life is hanging on "do not fear, only believe." Sometimes faith requires more than the McDonald's yes and no(s) that we expect from God. Sometimes, if I remember correctly, it is the substance of things hoped for, for that which is yet unseen. Everyone wrestles with seasons where God is silent. Will you hold on to faith? Will you not fear? Will you only believe? Will you take the long walk from the point at which you asked to the point at which God responds?
The above mentioned graffiti is a part of the inside cover of a book called, God On Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer by Pete Grieg. If you recognize the name Pete Grieg, it's probably because you've heard of Red Moon Rising, a book about 24/7 prayer and how he nearly pioneered the modern prayer movement. While Pete was being championed as a hero of prayer, he was also wrestling with the prayer that God had not answered yet. If you're wrestling with a prayer today, this book will be a HUGE help to you. At the time I read it, it was to me.
