Deaf and Mute

At times I feel deaf and mute, unable to hear what God is saying and the words I need to speak are locked inside. Looking through Scripture I know I should be able to learn what God is trying to say, but the words are not breaking through. It feels as if they are all jumbled letters dancing on the pages, but not coming together coherently and touching my soul with peace. The silence can seem stifling and a bit scary when all you want to do is hear His voice.

I try to imagine what that voice sounds like. Is it deep? Soothing? Gentle? He says in Jeremiah 7:23, “Listen to my voice…” and Psalm 95 reminds us, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”  I pray for release from those things that block my ears, so that I can be overcome with His truth spoken in love. 

And what about my voice? Not only do I sometimes feel blocked from hearing Him, I can often feel as if my words do not want to come forth. Deep desires and pains in my heart call to be spoken aloud, yet my tongue is silenced. Petitions rise up, but are choked back by fear. Truth wants to be proclaimed, but with my heart worries about what the reaction may be. I feel that the mission He has given me, even though confirmed in my heart, seems to be locked within tight prison walls afraid of the light of day. 

Today’s Gospel passage from Luke 11:14 talks about Jesus driving out a demon that was mute. Why does this reading come with the Old Testament message about listening to the voice of God? What point do I see? 

I see the contrast of a demon who can’t speak and who steals the voice of a man, with that of a God who is calling to us; who is asking us to listen and is unafraid to tell us what we need to hear. He calls us in Psalm 95 to “sing joyfully and acclaim the rock of our salvation.” He not only wants us to listen, He calls us to speak. That is why, after the demon is dispelled “the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.” 

The readings today are a reminder of His power and grace. He is more powerful than that demon that wants to keep me mute.  Satan can’t have any power over me, except that which I give him. I can be free of the fear, if I will listen for my Father’s voice. The one that speaks truth into my soul and reminds me that I am the daughter of a King. I have nothing to fear. His words are spirit and life. 

When I’m discerning his voice among all the noise, I will listen for one that speaks love and healing. 1 Corinthians 13:1 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”  

His voice is the one that rings with truth. A truth that unites and does not divide. A truth that brings mercy and not shame. A truth that speaks to me of my value and worth, that is not contingent on my experiences and feelings. That is a voice of a Father’s Love. 

What voice do you listen to? 

XOXO,
Barb

Today’s song… You’ll love this one! 
You Say: Lauren Daigle


Today’s Readings