As I attempted, throughout the week, to begin practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Silence, I found it very difficult; I failed more than I succeeded. On each occasion, I found myself choosing to remain in the "on the go" lifestyle that has become so familiar to me. I found myself planning to commit to practicing it, but ended up, completing another task, whether it be homework, church work, or responding to others via church work or otherwise.
What I did realize, in my attempt, is three-fold: 1) Habits are hard to break; 2) With each try, I got closer to starting; and, 3) I have to be intentional and unrelenting in my commitment to "practice." What brought me success (and success is defined, in this case, by actually starting) was I, intentionally, without provocation, picked up my phone for my online Bible, grabbed a pen, grabbed my reflection book, picked up my keys, and left the house. I knew I wouldn't be able to find silence in my home, even though I was the only one there, so I went to my car. On my way to the car, I prayed a preparation prayer to begin the connection process.
When I first started to "practice" this discipline, I, after about 5 minutes, was about to quit, but I didn't, and I am glad I didn't. As I continued, I noticed that I didn't experience my mind running, but I did notice that I wanted to get distracted. I quelled that feeling very quickly. Immediately after, I found myself focused on aspects outside of the car. The first thing I saw was the lights shining from my apartment, and began to, almost involuntarily, praise and thank God for having an apartment that I've lived in for 10 years. I noticed the lights on, and instead of wondering why I left them on, I began to thank God for allowing me to have lights despite bringing very little money in in comparison to the past. The thanks continued and emotions of thanks and joy began to well up in my eyes.
After the moments of thanks, I began to feel God's presence, as He directed me to the light over the entrance of my apartment building. The light almost put me in a trance, and then, it began to transform. I noticed something I had never noticed before. The lights, shining on the wall it was connected to, and the shadows it made were revelatory. The view was one of a hallway, shining brightly, with the glow coming from the light source, that allowed for sight. It was revealed that this was a depiction of transition and that the path was towards the light, which was God, and His Word. The revelation led me to a myriad of verses (Psalms 119:105, Isaiah 22:22, 2 Kings 4:14-16, 2 Kings 4:21, 2 Kings 8:5-6, and Zechariah 4:10). There were answers revealed in the silence. For me, this reveal was the evidence that the development of the Spiritual Disciplines are needed in my life.
What God was talking about, by showing me the “hallway” was that the hallway represents transition, that His Word is the only way to light the path through that transition, and that the hallway is where transformation occurs. You can’t transform in the place you were and you can’t transform where you are going. You have to do the transforming in the hallway.
When we look at a hallway, we often find that there are doorways that lead into the hallways and doorways that lead us out of the hallway.
In 2 Kings 4:14-16 of the NIV, it states,
14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.
Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”
15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway.
16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”
“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”
In 2 Kings, it has the Prophet Elisha visiting with a “well-to-do” woman who would provide boarding for him. She didn’t just offer it; she urged it upon him and his servants. This woman would provide him with food and a room. This occurred every time he came. By the way, it was written, she provided him this from the kindness of her heart, free of charge.
On one of the occasions, Elisha called upon her to see how he could repay her. He found that she had no son and her husband was old. Then, he prophesied that she would have a son.
What’s significant about this is two-fold:
1) When a prophet of God prophesies, God will back up that claim, even if the claim seems to be unbelievable. A prophet of God is granted a unique authority. That authority, when remaining in God’s will, will activate things that are deemed the impossible. These impossible declarations, and the ability for them the come to fruition, are unique to the prophet. That uniqueness is because God expects the prophet to declare His Words and His Will so He makes sure to set them above the rest.
1a) It is important to note that a prophet does not have carte blanche authority to declare anything and everything. The prophet must listen to God and must align to God’s will. Otherwise, just as a young prophet did in the Bible, if he fails to follow God’s directions, he will be eaten by a lion in the street.
2)The woman, who had no child, had an old husband. It does not say that she had no children; it says that she had no son. Having no son, in those days, meant that the family name wouldn’t continue. In those times, the family name continuing was a high priority. The family, ultimately, dies off when the name dies off. Another aspect to note is that it could signify that she couldn’t have a child because of the age of her husband. It could be reflecting the sanctity of marriage and how the commitment of marriage was back then. Regardless of the reason she couldn’t have a son at this time. The fact of the matter is that the probability of her actually having a son was extremely low regardless of the reason. It is significant to connect all of these dots because what would, ultimately, occur is she gets pregnant and has a son. This is the prophet declaring the impossible--the unbelievable--and God backing up that claim.
As we look at the story, we find that, when Elisha called on the woman, she came and stood in the doorway. There are many times, when we are called by God, we just stand in the doorway. There are many times, when God tells us where we are going, we go no further than the doorway.
This woman’s dreams of having a child weren’t a reality for her. I can imagine that she stopped believing that it was possible. She probably stopped thinking about them and revolved her life around aspects that wouldn’t bring attention to her past dreams. Her past dreams were so far gone that she objected to the possibility of them coming to reality.
What dreams have you given up on? Maybe it’s becoming a mom? Maybe it’s seeing your marriage restored or you are still waiting on your dream of finding a spouse? Maybe you gave up on starting a business? Maybe you gave up on writing a book? What dreams have you given up on? As you stand in the doorway, just like this woman did, God is calling you to bring back the dreams that you have hidden and put away.
As we continue further, we find that the boy died. She went to bed where Elisha would sleep and laid the boy there. Then, as it says in 2 Kings 4:21 of the NIV, “21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.” We find that after she went out, she went to get help. Elisha, ultimately, came and raised the boy from the dead.
How many times have you found your dream dead, and you do nothing to revive it? This is what the woman could have done. Instead, she sought divine help.
There are many times, when we get stuck in the doorway of our own disbelief and our dreams don’t get off of the ground, we either stay in the doorway or move into the hallway and do nothing. There are times our dreams come to life and then they die before they were intended to die, but because we do nothing in the hallway, the dream stays dead.
God is calling you to seek Him and let Him help you bring your dreams back to life. God is, as it says in Joel 2:25 of the NIV, “‘So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…’” What you do in the hallway determines what comes and what leaves your life. The hallways is where you fill find you.
Before I close today, God wants you to know one thing:
God says, “You, my chosen, have been in the wilderness longer than I’ve asked you to be. Your 40 days were over 40 days ago. Your strength where you are doesn’t compare to where I’ve called you to be. Step into the hallway and transition.”
As you leave here today, I call on you to Quit standing in the doorway and to Quit doing nothing in the hallway. Transform in the hallway and let your new wineskin show as you enter into your next.
