Another request. Another silence. Another request. Another silence. What is wrong with this company? They said they’d get back to me. Where are they?
It’s one thing to have a request rejected. But when there is not a response, we are left in limbo. Frustration builds. Say something! Is anyone there?
As soon as they were able to talk, our children freely made their requests. Insistent children are hard to ignore. But we were usually careful not to give a quick answer that we would regret or have to go back on. “I’ll have to talk with your dad” was a good way to give myself time to think.
As leaders, we don’t always have the quick answer. We need time to think, to negotiate, to plan, to get advice, to analyze, TO PRAY! But when we say, “I’ll get back to you,” we’d better do it in a timely manner, even if it is to say, “I don’t have an answer for you yet.” We can’t leave people wondering what our lack of communication means. We need to follow up in a timely manner.
Even if I know the big picture and where I’m going with a project or new idea, I can’t keep putting people off. I can’t expect them to have faith in me if I never keep them in the loop. I certainly can do better “getting back” to people who are waiting for an answer. I can do better at giving a clearer picture of the direction I’m taking them.
When our Lord Jesus was on this earth people were always asking Him questions. For the most part He gave them an answer. Of course it wasn’t always the answer they wanted Him to give. He wasn’t about to fall into their traps.
But then came the time when He stopped talking, stopped answering. In His final hours He refused to give into their frustrations with His silence. While he was being tortured and taunted, he said not a word (Isaiah 53:7). He refused to give Herod any satisfaction. Pilate kept asking Him to speak up for Himself. He didn’t. Even the ones on the cross begged Him to say something to save Himself and them too. But His only answer was to ask His Father to forgive them.
When I pray, how often do I sound like an insistent child demanding an answer? I see injustice and violence that the Lord needs to address. Now! I ask for healing for those I care about. Now! Sometimes my prayers don’t get a yes. Sometimes my prayers don’t get results I’m hoping for. Sometimes He is silent. Or is He?
Is He uncaring? Not listening? Aloof? Is He even there?
I read those same questions in the Psalms. They contain a long list of complaints, begging for the Lord to listen. Answer me when I call! (4:1) How long do I have to wait? Have You forgotten me? (13:1) Don’t be deaf! Don’t be silent! (28:1) Don’t hide from me! (55:1) Listen to me and give me an answer! (86:1) Hear me! Pay attention! (130:2) Hurry up! (141:1)
The Lord Jesus used a famous Psalm when His Father turned His back on His Son: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1) The Lord Jesus knows what it’s like to be waiting for a response. He was broken down and at the end of His life. He had become sin, our sin, something His Father had to turn away from. But He also knew the big picture.
When we look in the Scriptures, it’s clear our Lord is keeping us in the loop. He gives a clear view to the direction He’s taking us. It’s the big picture that calms all our fears about the future. The one that says our Lord Jesus is returning soon (Revelation 22:20). That’s when all the problems I’ve been complaining about will end: No more tears! No more pain or death! (Revelation 21:4)
My dear Lord Jesus has answered me. He got back to me long ago when He told me not to worry about my failings and faults and frustrations. He took care of those on the cross and rose victorious over death, my death! He promises to be with me every moment.
And the greatest joy I have is hearing Him telling me, again and again, I belong to Him alone. I am His very own!
Christine Vogelsang is a teacher, musician, pastor’s wife, and mother of three adult children. For almost forty years her family enjoyed the love of congregations in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Southern California. She has earned her master’s degree in education, taught at various schools (from kindergarten to college) and served as music director for twenty-five years at their last church.
While writing and speaking about the joy of being God’s child has always been a part of her life, it wasn’t until her weekly inspirational blogs (restoringthejoy.net) gained an international following that Christine decided to publish her first book. She has also written and produced three plays about people and events in the Gospels that bring these ancient stories to life.
Christine and her husband have retired from full time church work; however, her blog ministry continues to grow. She recently completed her Restoring the Joy: Leaving My Guilt at the Cross book series (available through Amazon) and is scheduling more speaking engagements that highlight her spiritual passion: joy without guilt!
