Some of you may remember this old hit from the ‘70’s sung by Chad and Jeremy. A group by the name of “Delirious” did a new version, quite beautiful, and in the opinion of some, musically superior to the original. After a close listen, I have to agree. The song catches the dilemma of modern humanity, worshipping at the altars of a neon god who has no power to save, only to distract with self-indulgence and religious gropings into the darkness. They are desperate for meaning and transcendence, but the sound of silence engulfs them. Is anyone at home in the universe? Is my life more than “dust in the wind”? Can anybody hear my heart’s deepest cry for love and significance?
“And in the naked light, I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.”
It is enough to break our hearts, Church, and it should.
We who know our God have found that He is a communicator. He speaks, rationally and clearly, into our lives. And He makes sense. Our faith is not a set of rules but a living relationship with a Lord who just happens to love us more than Himself. We see this when we look at those eternally pierced hands and feet. Every day is a love relationship with this man Christ Jesus, who never leaves us, who transforms us more and more into His image, who destines us for His very Throne. Our Father does not want even one to perish, and neither do we. How tragic to live and die, never knowing why you were born.
Only the Holy Spirit can convict of sin, righteousness and judgment. Only He can break through the sound of silence and open the deaf ears. Let’s pray as never before for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit in our own lives, our families, our churches, our country, our world.