Boldly Break Free from This Self-Imposed Silence

There’s a strange sort of dynamic going on in the US for some time now. Even though everyone is guaranteed the right to free speech and religion, a number of people don’t fully exercise that freedom. A vocal minority bullies the majority into remaining quiet about their opinions and beliefs by claiming such talk is offensive. Fear squelches any chance for honest, respectful dialogue in the public square. When will we boldly break free from this self-imposed silence and speak up in love for our fellowman?

The disciples found themselves in this same situation as they cowered in a locked upper room after the crucifixion of Jesus. The man on whom they had placed all their hope was gone. Dead and sealed in a tomb. Fear of the Jewish and Roman authorities who put Jesus to death imprisoned them in a self-imposed silence. When would they speak up?

The disciples were emotionally paralyzed that Saturday, but Sunday was coming.

After Jesus rose from the dead everything changed. Grief turned to joy. Fear transformed into courage. And best of all, the disciple’s self-imposed silence ended. From that day forward, each one of them boldly proclaimed the risen Christ to anyone who would listen. They were firsthand witnesses to the greatest miracle the world has ever known. This good news motivated them to boldly break free. No one could keep them quiet any longer.

History confirms that each one of the disciples died a martyr’s death except the Apostle John who passed away as an old man. Even so, people persecuted him for his testimony about Jesus by exiling him on the island of Patmos. John penned the final book of the Bible while in chains after a vision showed him a revelation of the end times. A jail cell could not stop the proclamation of the Word of God. So, what’s holding us back today?

In numerous places around the globe, Christians are persecuted on a daily basis. But, not here in the US. The threat of losing friends or social media cancellations is not even close to the same thing. Perhaps, our employer might pass us over for a promotion or even fire us from our job over our faith in Jesus. This is a real possibility. Yet isn’t it worth the risk?

If I knew a cure for cancer and didn’t tell others about my discovery, I couldn’t live with myself. Wouldn’t it be cold hearted, if I knew where to find food when everyone around me was starving, but chose not to show them the source? In the same way, if I know that Jesus offers the mean to eternal life yet choose not to share this knowledge, what does that make me? Selfish, at the very least.

There’s a darkness hovering over the face of the earth right now and I hold a single candle of love with little power to push it back. When I stay silent, it’s as if I’ve placed a cover over my light and hidden it from the world. You may say my light is small and it wouldn’t make a difference anyway. But I beg to differ. If I join my light with others willing to boldly break free from this self-imposed silence, our brilliance will be like that of the sun. Unquenchable.

And when we lovingly speak up together, our collective light will change the world for Christ.

You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 Message Bible