I’ve worked in libraries for thirty years. My first job was in a tiny library in Tiverton, Ontario, Canada and I never got it out of my system. Even after years of schooling, I still ended up working in six more libraries, both public and academic. The stereotypical image of a librarian is a spectacled cardigan wearing woman who loves cats and frequently shushes the faintest whisper coming from a library patron.
I currently work in an academic library at the University of Prince Edward Island. I am a spectacled cardigan wearing woman who loves cats, and many times I have addressed noise complaints, but never with a shush.
Although we at the library do allow and encourage discussions, both academic and social, I must admit that part of the lure of working in such a place is the reverent sound of silence frequently associated with the intellectual sacred space of a library.
Life is audibly, visually, and socially loud and sometimes it’s hard to tune out all the noise. A library is a place of quiet learning, reflection, and growth, and I enjoy the silent sound of minds gathering and arranging new information and fresh ideas.
Silence also has a role in learning and growing as a child of God. There’s a beautiful verse in the writings of the prophet Zephaniah that speaks of our reaction to YHWH’s love and affection:
Zephaniah 3:17
YHWH your God is among you; He is mighty to save! He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will silence you [ya-kharish יַחֲרִישׁ֙] with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.
What does this verse tell us about being silenced by YHWH’s love? With all the noisiness of this world, when we truly experience God’s love for us we become speechless… and in our silence, He sings joyfully over us!
At the beginning of Luke’s Gospel account, the angel Gabriel visited the priest Zechariah and told him that he and his wife Elizabeth would become parents to a son in their old age. This son, to be named John, and he would be a forerunner to the Messiah and a preparer of people’s hearts (Luke 1:17). At this news, Zechariah questioned the validity of Gabriel’s announcement. In response, Gabriel said this:
Luke 1:19-20
“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent [Greek: siopon] and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
Zechariah was silenced because he doubted Gabriel’s words, but silence was also the proper response to YHWH’s overwhelming love and grace.
Zechariah’s silence was ended only when the child was dedicated, on the eighth day, in the Temple and Zechariah agreed, by writing on a tablet, that the child’s name would be John. At that moment, Zechariah’s silence was lifted and he immediately began praising God. He sang a song, and concluded the song with these words:
Luke 1:76-79
“And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Our minds are often very loud with thoughts of doubt, self criticism, and discouragement. In comparison, a great amount of peace can be found in silence. I encourage you to take some quiet time this week, to truly reflect on YHWH’s mercy, compassion, and love for you. Perhaps only in the silence you will feel the warmth of His light and hear His song of comfort… a song telling you that you are worthy of His great love!
To read the original posting on Silence, click below:
SILENCE
Next week I will share with you a sermon I will be giving as a guest speaker in Truro, Nova Scotia, this coming Monday (July 8). The message will look at three Hebrew words: ahava (love), khesed (lovingkindness/loyal love), and tselem (image).
Hebrew Word Lessons 