holy silence

Silence can be unsettling at first. It confronts us with voices we’d rather avoid—the noisy and persistent echoes of jealousy, anger, resentment, or the lingering pain of loss and rejection. When we enter into stillness and silence, these voices can seem overwhelming, even deafening, tempting us to escape into distraction or entertainment. It is so easy to take out the phone and avoid the silence. 

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The vulnerability of silence can make us question why we would willingly endure it.

Yet, silence is more than a void to be feared; it is also a holy invitation. If we have the discipline and courage to remain still, refusing to let these darker voices drive us away, something remarkable begins to happen. Gradually, these harsh sounds lose their grip. They become quieter, retreating into the background like waves that no longer crash but gently lap the shore.

In the space left behind, softer and gentler voices emerge—voices of light. At first, they may seem faint and unfamiliar, easily overshadowed by the residual noise. But these voices, if we let them, grow stronger with time and attention. They speak of peace and kindness, of goodness and joy, of forgiveness and hope. Most importantly, they whisper of love.

These voices do not come from nowhere; they are ancient and profound, rooted in the very heart of God. They remind us of eternal truths: that we are beloved, that God’s light shines even in the darkest corners, and that we are held in a love that is unyielding and unconditional.

Silence, then, becomes a sacred meeting place, where the voice of God calls us by name: “You are my beloved, my joy, my delight.”

It may take time to trust these voices of light. They do not shout or demand our attention as the darker voices often do. Yet their persistence is steady, and their message is clear. In them, we discover the profound reality that the One who sent us into this world is filled with light, and in God, there is no darkness at all.

Embracing holy silence is not always easy, but it is a journey worth taking. It leads us to a deeper awareness of God’s presence and a fuller understanding of who we are: God’s beloved, from all eternity.
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Peace,
Travis Segar
Pastor for Care and Community