The End of the Road – Where Words become Presence

I write at the end of the road – the road of words.

For those who know me, this may seem like an impossibility.  I have never been at a loss for words, but recently, I went through a week when I heard from family and friends letting me know about difficult, even devastating, situations that were happening in their lives.  With each one, I came to a dead end and realized the inadequacy of vocabulary.

For those who grieve or endure pain, the road ahead and the questions that accompany them on the journey seem endless.  Shouldn’t words of comfort and hope be equal in abundance and be the solace that is needed? Yet, usually I find they fall short.  My hastily spoken wishes or empty promises (however unintentional) miss the mark more than help, so it brings me to silence.

There have been other times when I have come to the end of the language road.  Once I was challenged to describe who God is and at another point was encouraged to answer why there is suffering in the world.  Libraries are filled with books describing the one and endeavoring to answer the other – all arriving at the end of terms, sentences, and paragraphs without reaching an all-encompassing or fully satisfying destination.  How do you define the undefinable or answer the unanswerable?

I choose to consult the book that has stood the test of time, the Bible. There I find in the Psalms some of the most beautiful poetry with God as the focus of the writers, for all life’s situations – the good and the bad, the easy and the hard.  Whether they had plenty to “say” or very little, they went to the One to Whom they directed all of their attention.  Why? 

Because they counted on God to be with them and attentive to them as He promised.

Time and again in Scripture, God promised to be with … to be present.  Take a look at Exodus 3:12; Deuteronomy 20:4, 31:6, 31:8, and Joshua 1:5 to see a few of the “be with” and “never leave” statements.  That promise is still true today.

I have noticed, however, that God tends to speak far fewer words to me than I do to Him, and He is always with me compared to my occasional visits with Him.  God’s timely assurances and unending presence are far superior to my many statements and limited attention. Maybe if I would look to His example, I would learn the best way to help others who tell me of their struggles and loss. 

I am convinced it is no accident that there is inadequate expression in every language.  Truly the best connection of love, comfort, and compassion is at the end of the verbal road where it meets the path of presence.

 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4a NIV).

Part 1 of the Road Sign Series

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