Do You Need to Build a Cross or Carry an Existing Cross, this Lent?
Silence Shows Us Who God Is & Who We Are
Photo By: Flickr/Jeff Geerling
We all know that silent prayer is an important part of our faith. Silence shows us who God is, but it also shows us who we are.
As cradle-Catholic, I have always struggled with the faith’s formal prayers and finding God’s presence in them. Then, I met silence, and I uncovered God and myself in a whole new way.
In silence, I’ve learned that God is not the God of judgment that I grew up to fear. Rather, He’s a loving God who sits with me as I wallow in the abyss of life. He’s a God who quiets my fears and calms the storms. He’s a God who rejoices in my joys and happiness. He challenges and steadily guides me. His presence never leaves me. I just choose to stray from it.
In silence, I’ve also learned who I am, my weaknesses, my distractions, my emotions. They all emerge in silence and tell me what lies on my heart and what consumes my mind. Silence shows me my brokenness and my need for God, but silence also shows me my goodness, worth, and blessings. It has shown me my purpose and my mission.
Recently, I was in silence and felt terribly restless. Silence showed me the disquiet I felt, and that I needed to address it. Other times, I have felt deep sadness in silence, and it has pointed to wounds and my need for healing. There have also been moments of feeling deeply blessed and enriched with God’s goodness, which have revealed His joyous mysteries working in my life. Sometimes anger emerges in silence. That too, is an important feeling to look deeper into.
Silence is rich in spiritual wisdom. Let silence speak to you about God, and about you.
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About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and SVDP volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is the published author of Called to Corporate. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
