Why does God seem silent?

[emergingfaith]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

 

[JRKH]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

I dunno

Why do you see each and all of the examples you site as “clear communication”?

What kind of communication do you want Him to give us?
If God spoke directly to the Pope from a burning bush, (ALA Moses) and you did not see or hear it, (As the hebrews in Egypt did not) would you believe the message?
If He spoke directly to you from a burning bush, would you expect others to believe you?
Yes, all through the Bible we have examples of God giving direct communication to people but still in the vast majority of cases, for the masses of people, these communications had to be taken on faith.

God has given us Life.
He has given us a beautiful place to live and thrive and Love.
He has given us simple rules to live by - All revolving around Love
He has provided many - MANY wonderful examples of His Love in action through saintly people all through the ages from Christ Himself to Mother Theresa of Calcutta.
He give us His own Body and Blood in the Eucharist.
He has sent us messages by visits from Christ (to St. Faustina) and from the Blessed Virgin (Lourdes and Fatima)
He speaks to us regularly in everything from that “small still voice” of conscience to the clap of thunder declaring the majesty of His creation.

Yes - These wonderful things that God has provided can be interpreted in other ways by those who are skeptical, but that is merely our sinful nature placing barriers between us and God.

Peace
James

 

[lil_flower_luv]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

The very fact you are alive is Him constantly saying, “I love you”

 

[Snerticus]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

The nature of God the Father is such that He probably does communicate, but we don’t listen, or are at least not receptive to Him talking. He sent His Son to die for us, and I think that proves His love for us.

What I think you need to do is take a little bit of time alone, and just think about the situation of Christ’s crucifixion. Think of what He must have gone through, how people treated Him - both good and bad - and the pain of His mother watching him. Just take an hour in silence and think about it. I’ll bet you will start to hear God in ways you never thought you could before.

God Bless,
Snert

 

[Trishie]

I hear what you are saying, however,
Whatever way God expresses love to us, including in the ways mentioned, we are dealing with a Person and a Power way beyond any possibility of our capacity and understanding, so God is going to have to speak to us through signs and symbols, some language or other, visual, aural, whatever, whichever way God ‘speaks’ to us.

As St Paul said, we now see through a glass darkly until after we are born into eternal life.
Perhaps trying to understand God as God is, is like an unborn child trying to envison and understand the life that follows birth, the explosion of experiences beyond his/her wildest imagination! Within the unborns’ world there are muffled sounds and awareness of some movement in the fluid warmth and security, with sometimes hints of second-hand anxiety and sense of unease…but everything is vague, hidden, nothing has unfolded, nothing makes sense but the child’s present, very limited experience. The unborn child has no conception of the wonders and sights and sounds and experiences that will follow birth and unfold during life on earth.

We are enwombed in this second existence, and within it, we understand according to our circumscribed present and possible experience…but we await birth into a third life, a life which also we cannot conceive of, vast, and wonderful beyond the understanding of our small human brain and clouded human soul.

If we fail to know God, to know who we really are in God, as we struggle in this womb of life on earth, is this so surprising, that we are mystified and even at times disappointed in this God whom we think we know but cannot but faintly know now? We can only continue to have faith in the God who became one of us to save us along with the teachings, gifts and guideposts He gives life to, and the witness of those who interpret His love into their lives.

 

[Trishie]

Towards heaven

Jesus, it is difficult to appreciate as enduring reality, that centuries ago, You lived, taught, died and rose for each of us personally. Please give us faith to vividly appreciate that Your truth and love is authentic for each of us, for ‘me’; and help us to live accordingly.

Convince us that our earthly life resembles our antenatal existence, where we are formed for decades of life on Earth, with realities and possibilities undreamed of the womb. In this second womb of life on earth, we are formed for eternity with faith and hope.

How passionately we would seek spiritual wholeness in worship of God and in loving service of others, if spiritual realities were clear and tangible! Even so, with faith we await the joyful communion of our loved ones in heaven where only love and goodness can exist.

Jesus, Your mercy forgives even the worst repentant sinner in the last instant of life. As we die, please assure our penitence and our faith in God’s mercy, and comfort our loved ones with awareness of our joy and of our future eternal reunion

 

[Tyrel777]

Romans 1 states that He has made Himself evident to all man kind and that no one is with excuse.
Also, to hear Him, is to hear/read His word.
but to truly understand Him, we need the Gift of the Holy Spirit which Scripture tells us we are given when we believe in our hearts that Christ is LORD and that we repent, die to ourselves, and God takes our heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The Holy Spirit convicts us and intercedes for us.
and its all about the condition of our hearts as well. I’ve personally experienced that when I am not close to God, even IF i try to be “religious” and do the churchy things, I feel very little of God’s presence. God promises in His Word, “Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you”.
but we must be aligned in Christ.
your questioning/doubt is a blessing. it shows you are seeking something. I hope you continue to seek God with your heart. If you mean it, He will not let you down. I promise.

 

[ljubim]

I used to not hear Him either.

But trust me, His voice is everywhere. He has so much for each of us to do… but since few listen or even hear Him, that’s how the world gets as it is.

Pray like crazy for the gift of discernment (seeing God’s hand in the world) and spend a lot of time in adoration. Just keep asking for Him to speak to you, don’t ever feel like you shouldn’t ask or that He’s not listening. And most importantly, be very open and just listen. Throw out your current mindset of “but I’m talking to a wall!!” right away, I cannot stress how improtant this is. I regret so much that I was like this, even through my Confirmation! How much more wonderful would it have been if I had more faith?

Don’t miss out on one more second of your life with doubts about God. I promise you, He has a lot to tell you, if only you would listen! It’s not Him in the silence, it’s you!

God bless

 

[RubyT]

You say if you loved someone you would tell them, but you are human, thinking in human terms.
Build your Spirit and increase your faith and you will hear Him, feel Him and know that He is not silent. He is in your life much more than you can realize at this time. Pray, Pray and pray some more. He will give you the answers you seek although perhaps not in the manner you expect. He loves you more than you can possibly fathom.

God Bless you my friend.

 

[Julian0404]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me… And you are who compared to God to challenge His ways ? Cults demand loyalty or death, Jesus makes no demands. He offers Himself for those who seek. To seek is to go on a journey. God is not an instant on video. He isn’t a microwave that you punch a walk away from. A journey is long at times difficult and once you begin pursuing and truly seeking Him, you will discover never ending.

if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. Go to www.lighthousemedia.com and get the CD by Father Larry Richards on TRUTH. In it he provides his conversion storey. At 17, the reality of death come over him and he “a pagan child”, so for every day, for 6 months he went to a local Catholic church and sat there for one hour, just speaking to God in his heart. Asking if God loved him? After 6 months, the answer was so awesome, that he has never stopped spending 1 hour each day with God in the Blessed Sacrament. So, how often have you gone and sat in a quiet church, just you and God, and had a private - heart to heart - conversation? If you cannot get to a church every day, begin reading the lives of the Saints. Start with St. Francis of Assisi.

I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Let’s see, hhmmm, 1. Baptism - nope I don’t see any other “ordinary” thing that resembles Baptism. 2. Confession, going before a conscreated priest to receive abslution from God, through the Holy Spirit, - nope don’t see anything “ordinary” about that. 3. Eucharist, the consumption of the BODY and BLOOD of Jesus - no way is that “ordinary” 4. Confirmation - where do you find an “ordinary” oath stating your belief in God before His Bishop? 5. Marriage - this was removed from the Church authority after the French Reveloution and reduced to a “contract / license” governed by the State. So yes, in that respect Marriage can seem ordinary, but the SACRAMENT of marriage is anything but. In the state you do not stand before God, only a human judge. 6. Last Rites: A Sacrament to remove the last stain of sin on your soul and pepare you for your death, and judgement before Jesus - WOW - nothing “ordinary” about that. 7. Holy Orders - the laying on of hands, the intercession of the Holy Spirit, the surrender of your life to God’s service, as the sacrafice of your own if necessary - nothing even close.

Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. So, it’s all about you at the end of the day. Make my faith experience a concert, an extraordinary event, when above you were happy with just attempting to find an “ordinary” event, now you have upgraded to extraodinary. We do have the Bible, and the connection between the New and Old is so phenomenal that it will raise the hair on the back of your neck over and over again, once you read it over and over again. Please your lack of energy in pursuing your faith is at issue here. Spoon fed christians will always fall as soon as the spoon is removed. Get out there and sow your own garden of faith. Read the Bible, get CD’s, read the lives of the saints, especially get Scot Hahn’s CD’s from www.salvationhistory.com build your store room of knowledge. If you have been Confirmed, pray that the Holy Spirit renews in your sould the 7 Gifts He has given you. If you have not been confirmed, pursue that as Option 1. /COLOR]

I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?Lourdes, Fatima, Sister Faustina, Padre Pio, what don’t you get? Communication from God is not the issue, reception is the issue. If you truly wish to find God, you need to seek Him. Once you seek you will find.

 

[bluelake]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

God isn’t silent when we read His word.
it’s called the Bible. he reveals Himself to us when we read the Bible. Please go there. it works.
pray first. the Lord knows our heart.

God bless,
bluleake

 

[promethius]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

Uh, just for the record, the Bible’s teachings are revolutionary and they are QUITE extraordinary.

The question of is God silent is a common one. The answer, of course, is no. I view it that God speaks to me all the time, but only if I open my will up to His perfect will, and even then it isn’t in words. When I’ve been in strife and prayed desperately, I have always felt comforted and been given strength. Whenever I’m in a situation where I’m stressed and don’t know what to do, I open myself to God and allow myself to be guided in whatever direction events push me, and they see me through the right way in the end. When I draw or write I do my best to open myself to God’s influence, even here on this forum, and I try to let God guide my words and hand. And God speaks to us in our well formed conscience as well, keeping us from straying into sin if we but open ourselves to listen.

God is never silent if we listen with our heart. The problem is that so many people refuse to hear.

 

[Janechantal53]

“When you seek me you will find me when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

If you persist in this, I promise you, He will not seem silent anymore!

 

[bluelake]

Uh, just for the record, the Bible’s teachings are revolutionary and they are QUITE extraordinary.

The question of is God silent is a common one. The answer, of course, is no. I view it that God speaks to me all the time, but only if I open my will up to His perfect will, and even then it isn’t in words. When I’ve been in strife and prayed desperately, I have always felt comforted and been given strength. Whenever I’m in a situation where I’m stressed and don’t know what to do, I open myself to God and allow myself to be guided in whatever direction events push me, and they see me through the right way in the end. When I draw or write I do my best to open myself to God’s influence, even here on this forum, and I try to let God guide my words and hand. And God speaks to us in our well formed conscience as well, keeping us from straying into sin if we but open ourselves to listen.

God is never silent if we listen with our heart. The problem is that so many people refuse to hear.

God does the work in our heart. He chose us from the foundation of the world.
We have nothing to boast about.
see Ps. 139: 13-16
Eph.1;3-4

bluelake

 

[bluelake]

“When you seek me you will find me when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

If you persist in this, I promise you, He will not seem silent anymore!

jane,
May I add, Rev.3:20 “Here I am, I stand at the dor and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
The Lord gives us free will.

God bless,
bluelake

 

[bluelake]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

See Rev.3:20-23

bluelake

 

[zerinus]

I don’t understand why God seems so silent. If he loves us so much, why doesn’t he make himself more perceptible? The standard argument I get is that it is because he loves us so much and if he did this it would infringe on our free will. This seems flimsy to me…if I wanted someone to love me, I would make sure they knew I did and communicate with them often. I know another argument is that God communicates through the sacraments and during prayer. However, these moments seem open to interpretation–they could be seen as nothing out of the ordinary by the skeptic or those low on faith. Others say we have the bible but these words do not seem to “pop off the page” as truly extraordinary…and it all seems to be set in the distant past. I’ve also heard that our human bodies are not capable of perceiving God if he appeared to us or spoke to us directly. However, in the Old Testament some (Adam, Eve, Moses, etc) are said to have heard God’s voice. Why not a clear communication with His people today?

A good question. An equally important question is: If God spoke to us today in the same way that He spoke to the ancient biblical patriarchs, how would you recognize it? Let’s suppose that I claimed that God had spoken to me; how would you know whether I was lying or telling the truth? In those days too not everyone believed them. Pharaoh obviously didn’t believe, and he ended up in the bottom of the sea. So if God spoke to us today in the same way, how do you know that you would be able to recognize it? And how do you know that God has not spoken to us in the same way today, but you are not able to recognize it? Have you looked hard enough to know if He has or not? If you haven’t, how do you know He hasn’t?

 

[Mersenne]

Yes, of course, if god proved himself it would take away our free choice in whether to believe. This is why I am often cruel to my wife. If I were kind to her and acted like the kind of man she wanted to be married to, then she would have no choice but to love me. I have to beat her and cheat on her to infuse her with free will.



Arguing that knowledge takes away our free will is the single silliest argument I have ever heard in my entire life. The most obvious answer, and the only reasonable answer, is God seems like he’s not there because he’s not.

 

[promethius]

God does the work in our heart. He chose us from the foundation of the world.
We have nothing to boast about.
see Ps. 139: 13-16
Eph.1;3-4

Uh, the point? I thought that was what I just said…

 

[LilyM]

Remember the prophet Elijah seeking to hear God’s voice in the thunder and earthquake and so on - in other words looking for a big, dramatic, obvious message from Him - and finding that His voice wasn’t in the thunder and earthquake at all, but rather God’s was the still, small voice that spoke to him afterwards?

Jesus could NOT have made Himself MORE perceptible - He walked and talked among us like any human being - was physically present to be heard, seen, and touched, and many did all of these things. Even with all this, many still did not truly perceive, or understand, or listen, or believe in Him.

What makes you think there would be any advantage to His being indisputably physically present today? We aren’t any more willing, in general, to truly perceive, or understand, or listen or believe, after all.