From Silence...

I'm in the studio today (FINALLY!!!) and I'm working on the track suggested by friend and worship leader Tiffany Hill.


She gave the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Here is the quote that caught my attention:


"What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word?  Solomon warned us not to rush into God's presence with words.  That's what fools do."


Tiffany and I worshipped together for a handful of years at The Father's House-Hutchinson before she and her husband, Pastor Brett Hill, moved to pastor a congregation in North Carolina.  I began thinking about this quote, and the fact that we shared these epic worship experiences which were full of words.  An ironic starting point...


I've wondered what it would be like to have a congregation used to a loud, high-energy song service (a.k.a. "praise & worship") to come to a point where words fall short and the music is felt unnecessary.


Silence.


We are told it is golden.


Do we truly take that thought to heart?


Is it only true for our "lives" outside the four walls of our local congregation, or does the need for silence encompass all areas of life?


The track begins with some deep breaths...respirations of the Presence of God.


From there synths slowly emerge from the silence, cautiously tiptoeing their way into audibility.  They are smooth and edgy, major and minor - the Presence of God burns away the dross and refreshes the weary soul.


Gently the percussion resounds; a voice echoes, "From silence..."  A normally intrusive sound is rendered to pieces in this atmosphere; a harp sprinkles its praises into the mix.  From there, mouth and hands wordlessly worship God...