The Ministry of Silence

In his small book, The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen quotes an ancient by the name of Diadochus who said, “Timely silence…is precious, for it is nothing less than the mother of the wisest thoughts.”[i] The Message renders the sentiment a bit more contemporarily:

Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God's in charge, not you––the less you speak, the better. (Eccesiastes 5: 2)

Diodochus believed not only that silence is important, but it is essential to guard the inner fire of our passion, understanding, and ability to express the noble, generous heart of Jesus Christ. This definition speaks to the heart of listening. However, it is contrary to the understanding of contemporary society where an abundance of words are the order of the day. Whether in a counselor’s or pastor’s office, or simply when offering a kindly listening ear, the words we often hear express hurt, need, anger, passion, or questions with the expectation that the listener will respond, quite sympathetically, of course, with words of exhortation, guidance, correction, and Biblical truth. Nouwen says that,

“we have become so contaminated by our wordy world that we hold to the deceptive opinion that our words are more important than our silence” (The Way of the Heart, pg. 58).

In fact, all too often our abundance of words run rampant over the softer, almost inaudible whispers of the reality within.

Silence, when embraced within the fullness of God’s presence, can become a life-transforming, listening silence when the mind and soul quieten and the human spirit becomes aware of and responsive to God’s Holy Spirit. (cf. Matt 17:5). We become aware that God does not need our wordy wisdom to convince ourself nor anyone else that He is real. In the silence of our listening, God IS and meets us at the point of our need as seen through His omniscient love.

Listen to Nouwen’s words about the ministry of silence and see if anything speaks specifically into your own experience.

…isn’t the purpose of all ministry to reveal that God is not a God of fear but a God of love? And couldn’t this be accomplished by gently and carefully converting the empty silence into a full silence, the anxious silence into a peaceful silence, and the restless silence into a restful silence, so that in this converted silence a real encounter with the loving Father could take place? What a power our word would have it if could enable people to befriend their silence? (Nouwen, pg. 60)

The full, peaceful, restful silence we can offer to others begins within our own regular coming away into what Catherine Doherty calls our poustinia, that desert place where we withdraw for a season from the busy-ness and wordiness of our world to hear the heart and Word of God.

In what way has the ministry of silence been part of – or not an active part of -- your own devotional walk with God? In your relationship with family and friends? In your work schedule? In your relationship with your community, church, colleagues? Is there anything you need to say to God? What is God saying to you

Heavenly Father, we confess that often we get caught up in the deception that our work and our words are more important than our silence. Help us to understand that the life of both your written word and Jesus Christ the incarnate Word are unleashed as we enter into the fullness of Your silence. Give us wisdom to know the timely word to speak to others, and when that good word is more eloquently expressed within the transforming silence of your Holy Presence. Teach us to wait – and listen. Amen.

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[i] (Diadochus of Photiki, “On Spiritual Knowledge and Discrimination: One Hundred Texts,” in The Philokalia, vol. 1, compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth, trans., eds, G.E.H. Palmer, Phillip Sherrard, Kallistos Ware (London & Boston: Faber & Faber, 1979), p. 276.