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Revelation

                  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

 

What do you do when you talk to God, and don’t get an answer? One option I tend to use too often is panic. “Something’s wrong with me! What did I do wrong now?” Another option is to reverse the idea with attitude. “What’s wrong with You, Lord? Why aren’t You talking to me?”

In Experiencing God, Henry Blackabee suggests that God’s silence at least can be lull before the curtains open and God reveals Himself to us in some way. The seemingly prolonged silence is designed to get our attention. Rather than fussing, we should perk up and pay attention. Years ago, I took my mother to a Phantom of the Opera performance by a local theater group. Part way through, I noticed the orchestra conductor ducking down. I don’t recall whether I brought it to Mom’s attention, but suddenly, lights flashed and the Phantom seemed to be here, there, and everywhere, including in the orchestra pit. This is the same odea. God disappears so that He can reveal Himself in a way He could not do otherwise.

This may be part of the reason God does not manifest Himself the way atheists (and the rest of us) want - making Himself constantly visible and accessible (so to speak.) If He did, we might conclude that He’s just a part of nature, or that He is just that one, simple whatever that we perceive. In other words, God may reveal Himself more fully and accurately by not revealing Himself as much as we think He should. That’s probably enough to think about today. 

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