Margaret Dye writes
Hearing from God in the silence!
Henri Nouwen writes, “Silence is the royal road to freedom”, a quote which I find not only true but also liberating. It really is all right to be quiet
in the presence of God, to sit and wait
for Him to break into the silence and speak to us.
On Monday morning I sat quietly in the lounge at home. My armchair is my place of reflection. As I sat in silence the following words came into my mind, “Lord, lift me and let me stand on higher ground”.
At first, I thought perhaps this was from the Psalms which is a book that is so familiar to me and one I often turn to,
but more reflection led me to realise this was not so.
What’s even more surprising is, this is the second time these words have come to my mind and so I turned to Google (a place where I sometimes go when I want to find out something somewhat obscure)!
To my surprise these words are from a hymn, even with my background of the Anglican church in its many forms and my earlier background in the Methodist church I must confess I’d never heard this hymn before,
but as I read through the words of the hymn,
I realised how very meaningful they were to me.
I shared this with Mark, and he suggested I write this brief article relating my experience of waiting on God and the constant surprise
at His gracious way of speaking to me and to you.
The words to the hymn are printed below, but what it reminded me,
once again, is the way in which God can use so many avenues
to communicate with us even to using the words of a hymn which was totally unknown to me, or perhaps even to you and communicate to us
in such a powerful way.
I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day.
Still praying as I’m onward bound, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand by faith on heavens tableland,
a higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay, though some may dwell where those abound,
my prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
So, Lord, lift me and let me stand by faith on heaven’s tableland.
A higher plane than I have found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to live above the world, though satan’s darts at me are hurled,
for faith has caught a joyful sound. The song of saints on higher ground.
Can I take this opportunity to encourage us all to spend time either quietly listening for God to speak to us or collectively as we gather together.
Perhaps the day Conference “For Your Age” on Tuesday 6th June
at 9.30am to 4.00pm in Christ Church may be an opportunity
for God to speak into all our lives.
Thank you and God bless.