Silence

But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.     (Luke 23:56 NIV)

I hate waiting.  I've always been a man of talk or action...not waiting.  I can only imagine what it must have been like for Peter to "rest" on the Sabbath after our Lord was crucified, died, and was buried.  

Peter was a man of speech and action as well.  "May it never be," he said to Jesus after being told that the Messiah must suffer and die.  He pulled out a sword and cut off the ear of one of Jesus' arresting officers.  Peter didn't like to sit around and wait.  He liked to get up and do.  

I imagine he quite enjoyed the day of Pentecost, with the miracles, tongue-speaking, preaching, and baptizing of thousands that day.  That day must have been quite a rush.  Waiting around after Jesus ascended into heaven until the promised Spirit arrives...probably not his favorite.  Waiting, wondering and praying after Jesus died...that must have been a low point only surpassed by the moments he denied his Master.  The silence must have been deafening.

I'm the same way.  Many's a time I've found myself attempting to remove my foot from my mouth because I said too much or spoke too soon.  I have frightened more than one person away because my instinct to act overcame my instinct to think.  I know it when it happens, but at that moment it's too late.  The words were said or the deed was done.  Like my name sake, I've denied my Lord and Savior again.

I thank God for second chances.  Peter received them.  Thanks to Jesus's actions, so do I.  Our God is a God of second chances.  While I do not like relying on them, I am immensely grateful for them.

I must say, though, that I am finding that I enjoy silence much more now.  Pausing to listen to someone in silence helps me understand a her perspective better.  Watching people in silence helps me see them through God's eyes better.  Reading Scripture in silence helps me immerse myself in His Story all the more.  Praying for people in silence draws me closer to God and gives me His heart for people.

My mom has a stone in her garden that says, "How beautiful is the silence of growing things."  I know it's written about plants, but I wonder if it applies to us as well.  I'm glad God gives me a second chance.  As I learn the value of silence, I become one of God's beautiful, growing things.