Lessons Learned from My Sickness Part 28: The Language of Silence
By Pastor Ronny Luces
It is customary for people to make or create noise when emphasizing something.
New business or products are introduced by loud public announcements, accompanied by drum beats, full volume music, street parades, caravans, fireworks, etc.
People are convinced of the products’ effectivity by the loudness of its propaganda or advertisement—the louder the noise, the popular the business.
Silence is perceived as a weakness or a show of insignificance. But is it?
My sickness has introduced me to the world of silence – by force.
In other words, I was forced to be silent; otherwise, I will suffer a state of incessant coughing if I continue talking.
It took me quite a while to adjust to this condition.
You see, as a Pastor, my job was to speak, and not just speak, but to speak loudly. I was not used to just sit in a corner and be silent.
But my sickness made me discover the virtue of silence. I discovered that it’s also a means by which I can still communicate with others.
I discovered that I could listen more while others are talking, and I can fully internalize what they felt. I discovered that I’m more sensitive to the feelings of others.
Not only that. I also discovered that I have plenty of time to think more deeply, analyze things more broadly, and in so doing, learn quite a lot of things more frequently.
I have more time for personal devotions and to read the scriptures. I have plenty of opportunities to pray for many people in my prayers of intercessions. I have more time to reflect and write my reflections.
What I missed doing when my faculty of speech was still intact I learned to value and maximize in my world of silence.
Posted on FB: 20 March 2015 – 4:39 PM
About the Author
Rev. Ronny Luces was the Minister for Administration and Community Service of the Jaro Evangelical Church (JEC), Iloilo City, Philipines. He and his wife, Martha have been with JEC’s ministry since 1994.
Pastor Ronny graduated from Central Philippine University College of Theology in 1985 and was pastor of several Baptist churches.
In January 2015, after tests and two long hospital confinements, Pastor Ronny got the word he had lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy.
Praying for healing and going through all the medical processes, Pastor Ronny wrote his reflections “Lessons Learned from My Sickness.” In July 2015, he passed away.
May Pastor Ronny’s series of reflections and meditations strengthen your hope and faith as you go through your own life’s battles.
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