An Unutterable Sigh
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; Romans 8:26 NASB
Groanings too deep – It’s there. You know it’s there. Down deep inside you somewhere that you really can’t look. It’s not as if you haven’t tried to look, but this place, this deep, secret place, just isn’t open to looking. It can only be felt. Not analyzed, rationalized or articulated. This is the place where words fail, where ache is all there is—the ache of our pain and the ache of our hope and joy. This is the yet-to-be-completed place in us, the end of the dream. Right now, it is just a groan, a sigh.
“‘God is an unutterable sigh in the human heart,’ said the old German mystic. And therewith said the last word.”[1] You can’t sigh if you still have something to say. You will have to come to the end of yourself before you can learn to sigh God’s presence, and that means coming to that place of silence. “The best worship of God is silence and hope.”[2]
“There are three rungs to this ladder. Third is to talk about prayer. Second is to pray. Best is to be prayer.”[3]
But it’s so hard to be prayer when we have so much to talk about. Perhaps talking is really a sign of our separation. Tommy Givens’ remarks are instructive. He writes about this chasm between God’s creation and us. He notices “the estrangement that has come to prevail in the intricate relationship of human beings to the God-given life both around them and in them.”[4] He observes that there is a connection between “our estrangement from nonhuman life, and our corresponding placelessness.”[5] This helps. We realize that this place where we cannot look is not homelessness. Homelessness is a result of all our looking. Looking for the right mate. Looking for the best job. Looking for social status. Looking for escape. Looking for love in all the wrong places. And all that looking is just another form of calculating, verbal control. “Let’s talk this out.” “We need an agreement.” “You’re not listening.” “Make yourself understood.” Now how is that going to help? Our real home is in the place of silence. When we arrive, there is nothing more to say. Speaking is sacrilege in God’s house.
Are you willing to go where you can’t explain? Where you can’t justify? Where you will be a human prayer—without words?
Topical Index: groanings too deep, silence, human, Romans 8:26
[1] Chaim Stern (ed.), Gates of Forgiveness, Central conference of American Rabbis, 1993, p. 6.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid., p. 7.
[4] Tommy Givens, “Restoring Creation: With Reflections on Laudato Si,” Fuller Magazine, Issue #6, 2016, p. 36.
[5] Ibid., p. 37.
This is the best of Skip; just out standing in his field.
Haha cute Laurita!
..……“watching” over the flock. “Silently”.
And both in that field and when out in the field he is “head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land”I Sam 9:2
“Speaking is sacrilege in God’s house.”
Sacrilege is violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred. Well, we better be careful how we take this exhortation. Solomon did write, “For God is in heaven, and you are on the earth—therefore, let your words be few”, but that is in regard to not being hasty in making vows and even then it is not an admonition to be silent, but to be thoughtful and sincere in your words. Being silent may be appropriate at times, a form of worshiping in spirit and in truth, and it may even be an “expression” of having come to that place of true and complete trust, surrender, rest, and shalom in His presence. These have been some of the greatest spiritual experiences I have ever had in my faith journey, even life transforming, but one would certainly not want to take this statement, that speaking in God’s house is sacrilege, out of context.
There is much that He would have us speak about to Him, in His house, even possibly as the means by which we are to eventually come to that place of silence before Him. There is the importance of confession, pouring out our complaints, giving thanks, praising God, interceding for others and for the will of God to be done on earth just as it is in heaven, singing, inquiring, and even weeping. And, truthfully, being silent is only an honor to God if the condition of one’s heart is right before Him, as in being a heart of faith, love, and surrendered humility and trust. All of these are important attitudes and things for us to utter in God’s house, as well as maybe even necessary for us to come to that place of surrender, trust, awe, and worshipful silence. Otherwise, it may be that being silent is the sacrilege in God’s house.
…..and where, pray tell, is God’s house when one has given up on traditional, creedal, doctrinal religion?
Hi George. My comments are not at all intended to be about the location of God’s house. Sorry if my writing suggests that as my emphasis here. Otherwise, I’m not sure why you are making issue of that. But, regardless, I also don’t think of it merely as a physical place. I think God’s house is where He dwells, which is in His people and within their midst. So, now, may I ask, what other thoughts do you have about the statement, “SPEAKING IS SACRILEGE in God’s house (Presence)”.
I would start by quoting the extract fully and completely. “Our real home is in the place of silence. When we arrive, there is nothing more to say. Speaking is sacrilege in God’s house” after which I say, “I have nothing more to add.”
Thanks for your thoughts, George. I think this is all about us coming to the end of ourselves, finding God in His fullness, and being in awe of Him. There are many responses that will be very appropriate, I’m quire sure. I, myself, disagree that speaking is a sacrilege in such a “place”. Personally, I believe I will be having a lot to say when I get to my “real home” and I’m not so sure that that you and Skip and others here won’t be doing the same. I think we may all join in the chorus……
“The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes all around and within. They do not rest day or night, chanting, ‘Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot, asher haya v’hoveh v’yavo! Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts, who was and who is and who is to come!’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. And they throw their crowns down before the throne, chanting, ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, For You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created!’” Rev 4:8-11]
Hello Jerry and Lisa just wanted to say your input is appreciated, Others may not see it and I may not always agree with you either but then this website would only be a fan club of maybe four. Which by the way seems to be becoming more and more each day. I don’t presume to speak for Skip but I don’t think he meant it to be that way.There is less and less participation and those that don’t agree eventually are shut out. I love your tenaciousness it Sparks conversation.
J & L, Thanks for your share. Powerful insight. I liked the line: “Otherwise, it may be that being silent is the sacrilege in God’s house”.
Our inability to be silent, especially in the promise of His Presence reveals much about our inner lives. We are uncomfortable with silence…His, ours or others. In His economy our words are too often, too many or too loud or we speak nervously, excitedly or timorously so that we remain estranged and never learn to hear what the Ineffable is whispering to us or what He speaks to us though others or bellows through our circumstances.
I find it very hard to communicate with G-d when I do not talk. Even when I know he knows what I’m thinking, and what I’m going to be thinking. I agree with Jerry and Lisa’s thought of being careful of that speech and who I’m speaking to, and who’s presents I’m enjoying. ;Sometimes I really don’t know what I’m thinking until I’ve said it.—-when I hear it I can then change my mind. To develop a relationship one needs to communicate and that also includes vocal talking. As a parent when my children (5) were silent, never speaking — I was suspicious. Now as a child of G-d I don’t want my ;Father to be suspicious.—-some more ramblings of a 94 year mind-(not old) Shalom Sugar Ray (not sweet nor ‘box’—but that’s another story)
The Standard Operating Procedure of the consultation approach to life is radically different. It is fostered entirely by dependence. Consultation depends on externally provided guidance. It looks like this: STOP – WAIT – LISTEN – ACT. (Skip Moen | March 6, 2010) That groan bubbles to the surface when I S-W-L. It’s expressed in my action that He has given me to carry out.
I fasted words -spoken ,written ,reading for a day before ,it was hard because i love to talk for connection, but afterwards my mind had a new clarity …..I also experienced a new awareness how the message of my words, not the words themselves effected others ……I think I give more hugs now
Hugs to everyone & Happy Valentines ♡♡♡
Talking is the sign of separation!! oh my…..how true
Skip references Ibid in citation 2. Anyone know where I can find the quote in context in the source material?
I took the information from here: Chaim Stern (ed.), Gates of Forgiveness, Central conference of American Rabbis, 1993, p. 6. Of course, Stern got it from somewhere.