Daily Devotional for November 22, 2022

Everyone has a unique talent.  Mine is immediately noticing when someone gets a haircut.  As you can imagine, this isn’t much of a talent worth bragging about.

Yesterday morning, when I walked into Dennis Hall, Lucia was sitting at the reception desk and because of my useless talent, I recognized she had gotten a haircut.

I said, “You got a haircut.  It looks good.”

Lucia said, “I didn’t get much hair cut off because I’m letting it grow out so I can put it in a very tight ponytail.  I’m hoping it is tight enough to smooth out the wrinkles in my face.”

I wasn’t sure what to do with that.

Then, when I walked down the hall, I saw Pete.  He was wearing an awesome blue shirt. 

I said, “Pete, that’s a good-looking shirt.  If something happens to you, can I have it?”  

Pete said, “If you wore this shirt, it would look like a night shirt.”

I wasn’t sure what to do with that.

There are a lot of times in life when I hear something but I’m not sure what to do with it.  It’s in those moments I remind myself I don’t have to have a running commentary on everything spoken on the planet.  Sometimes it is best to let something lie.  Silence is golden.

Even Jesus practiced the art of silence.

When the young woman, caught in the act of adultery is brought before Jesus, the religious aristocracy of Jerusalem are joyful because they know Jesus is in a trap.  

According to the law, the woman is to be executed for her crime.  (Notice no man is brought up on charges even though it takes two to tango.)  

They know Jesus, being a man of grace and compassion, does not want her to die.  But, if he doesn’t agree, then they can say Jesus doesn’t follow God’s law.

Instead of immediately answering, Jesus knelt and wrote with his finger in the dust.  And in the silence of the moment, God gives him the right answer.  And the bible says, “They said this to test him, so that they might have some good grounds for an accusation. But Jesus stooped down and began to write with his finger in the dust on the ground. But as they persisted in their questioning, he straightened himself up and said to them, “Let the one among you who has never sinned throw the first stone at her.” Then he stooped down again and continued writing with his finger on the ground. And when they heard what he said, they were convicted by their own consciences and went out, one by one, beginning with the eldest until they had all gone.”  (John 8:6-9a)

Jesus’ silence enabled him to determine his answer which, in turn, saved this young woman’s life.  Again, silence is golden.

When you face the hard questions of life and you don’t know what to do with them, the best advice is be silent and let God do the heavy lifting.  It matters.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I have nothing good or productive to say, help me practice silence.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Long ago I heard this great prayer: “Dear Lord, fill my mouth with good stuff.  And shut it when I’ve said enough.  Amen”

Truer words were never spoken.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins