By Pastor Bob DeKlavon
It is Friday and if you follow what I write then you know this is my ‘official’ day off.
It does NOT mean I am not available as needed.
It does NOT mean I don’t spend time with the Lord or neglect things still needing to be done.
It DOES mean that I try to change my pace and spend my time doing things other than ‘work.’
After a week is over, I have read at least 32 pages of scripture.
I have written at least 13 pages for a sermon.
I have written weekly devotional thoughts leading up to the sermon.
I have put together a small group study of 3 pages that goes along with the sermon.
I have answered anywhere from 5-20 emails related to theological or work questions.
I have had numerous phone conversations revolving around many things.
So….when it gets to Friday, my brain is sometimes at a loss as to what to say.
NOW—I have thought about this topic for weeks-there ARE times when nothing comes.
Authors call it ‘writer’s block’ and it is when nothing seems to be coming out.
I normally don’t have this happen for a sermon because I know the passage from which I speak.
The same goes for devotional thoughts but small group studies sometimes create an issue.
For those studies-I am pulling from several passages and sometimes it just does not come.
Consequently, I have to spend more time thinking and praying and sometimes just writing.
THIS WEEK—this topic came to mind due to my reading through Job.
I am always conflicted when I read this book.
We have the ‘study guide’ to know ahead of time what is happening to him.
He, of course, did not know this which caused an incredible amount of justified consternation.
Imagine being the person that everyone used to look up to but now is mocked.
Imagine having wealth and a large family and now having nothing.
Imagine your body covered with boils and with worms crawling over you and…….yuck!
But then, Job’s 3 friends come and this should be a time of commiseration and lamenting.
For days, they do not say anything as they just sit with Job in his sorrow.
Now, during these seven days, they did the best thing possible:
They did not know what to say so they said nothing.
What DO you say to someone who is in a state like Job?
There are times when the best thing to do is say nothing because there is nothing to say.
You have heard the expression: “if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.”
I contend that as much as possible—let your speech always be with grace {Colossians 4:6}.
If not—better to say nothing at all.