Sacred Silence in the Midst of Too-much-ness

"Truly my soul silently waits for God;  from Him comes my salvation."  Psalm 62:1

The poet of this psalm knows that there are times when the solace that we need cannot originate within our common milieu.  This life and its many problems and trials may at times push us to the very edge of reason and then beyond, and then we dread the woeful tyranny of the irrational.

The test that we are experiencing right now is filled with the smarting demand of "too-much-ness" and we fear collapse before its awful claims upon us.  There is the desire to find respite and refuge until our season of unapologetic disquiet is over.  Alas, however, the too-much-ness that seeks to devour increases its terrifying pounding upon the doors of faith.

"Will I have to see this experience to the end?"  asks the person of faith, or "I've been so faithful,"  or "I have wept over this situation so often is there no answer for me?"  There are no more clever spiritual answers to call upon because they proved inadequate and insipid.

You see that the people around you have accumulated experiences that have wearied their resolve to face this life with unbending courage but their eyes reveal another story.  The mysteries of life have a way of sculpting us into mysteries unto ourselves when we are overtaken by its too-much-ness.

The poet of this psalm removed himself from all other sources of 'comfort' because he found himself molested by their inherent limitations.  Experiences do not come to us custom made or tailored to fit our preconceptions.  The poet knew this to be true.  He said that his soul silently waited upon Elohim.

Elohim means the "Strong One."  In Hebrew pictograms, El is represented by an ox or bull symbolic of a strong one.  The poet is very specific in his choice of names for God.  He knows the 'face' of God that he needs at this time.  The language is telling:  "Truly my soul silently...for Elohim."  He is in that sacred space and sacred time that buffers the outside events that buffeted him, and insulates him so as to suspend anxiety.

He is now able to wait for the Strong One with remarkable expectation.  'Truly my soul waits in silence,' offers powerful insight into the spiritual discipline of the poet.  He knows that Elohim will come to him, and provide his great spiritual need.  Silence is not easy when one is in great need, but silence, sacred silence in the midst of 'too-much-ness' is necessary.

Blessings to you.

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