Life-Giving Silence

In silence, the soul is nourished and strengthened with the life of the Spirit.

"The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when he has laid it on him; let him put his mouth in the dust -- there may yet be hope; … For the Lord will not cast off for ever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men." (1)

Sustained By Silence

The Spirit provides sustenance,
And life within silence's tent;
The virtues form in His presence,
And thrive in this environment.

In silence, safe from enemies:
Her heart finds peace and purity,
Her mind intuits subtleties,
Her soul rests in security.

From silence, flows His living stream
Through channels of service and prayer:
Its ripples reflect glory's gleam;
It refreshes -- compelled to share.

Whether through rocky crag or dust,
The strength of His stream forges on:
Carving and cleansing what it must;
Cascading where'er it is drawn.

In silence, life flows from its Source;
Through Spirit, on its charted course.


May the life of the Spirit flow through all His works in us from its source in silence.

(c) Paul Buis, 2004