CS Lewis reflected on Mary talking to “the gardener” with the empty tomb in the background and says “You can’t see anything properly while your eyes are blurred with tears.” A true sentiment of last weekend walking through Good Friday and what I call Silent Saturday. Days marked by grief, tears and complexity.

Then Easter!! Resurrection Sunday!! A time of celebration!! The day of victory over death!!

It is filled with worship, family, and activity. Yet, amidst the beauty, there is often so much commotion that the day passes too quickly for us to fully recognize the holy, life-giving miracle that has taken place. It can feel like opening a long-awaited gift in haste- never pausing to read the card, acknowledge the giver, or recognize that the gift was thoughtfully prepared long ago in response to our deepest need.

Then comes the week after Easter… A week meant for continued celebration has, for me, felt unusually quiet. Even silent.

My inner self feeling more unrest than jubilee. The world, and frankly my old self whispers questions… Where is my God? Why isn’t He speaking to me? Why is He distant?

But my renewed mind responds differently. If He is silent, so too shall I remain- not silent in separation, but silent in posture. Still. Attentive. Trusting. I see Him in the room, not with my human eyes, but with my heart- a heart that sees through faith. It rests in the promise of a Father who is faithful, One who has assured us He will never leave nor forsake us. If He is present, then there must be a purpose in the silence or perhaps I am simply learning to listen more deeply.

So, like the disciples after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, I will wait. I will stay in the city until what has been promised is sent.

Holy Spirit Come!!

Sometimes life requires us to trust in what is known rather than what is seen. Sometimes faith is not expressed in movement, but in stillness. Sometimes the most faithful next step is simply to Linger Longer.