Radio Silence
There is a communication term called “radio silence“. This term refers to a “status in which all fixed or mobile radio stations in an area are asked to stop transmitting for safety or security reasons”.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve sensed a growing push from the Spirit to remove the online presence from my life for a time. So I’ve decided to go “radio silent” starting tonight.
Recent events have shown me the need for this time to be off-line from blogs, Facebook and to some extent, email as well. I will continue to be reachable by email, but will not be responding so quickly. I realized through Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that I have had a “savior complex” and proudly thought I myself had no wounds. So I will be taking time to process this.
My own priestlynation blog has been “paused” already for over a month. I care deeply about the issues and articles here on ubfriends. So my silence should not be mistaken for indifference or for any kind of change of mind. If called upon, I will speak loudly and critically again. And don’t wait for me to suddenly start supporting ubf or become “Baghdad Brian” again, that won’t happen, I assure you :) And no need to worry if this ubfriends blog will go away; I’ll do what is necessary from a technology standpoint to support the effort.
Sometimes however the only way to promote the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17 is to be silent. And I’m convinced that I need a time of silence now, and that the Spirit is guiding me to do so. How long will it last? I’m not sure. I hope many, many more will speak up and share their thoughts, concerns, prayers and most of all their hearts and souls here and elsewhere, no matter how ugly, messy or crazy it gets. Lives depend on it!
I’d like to share a highly convicting set of verses that have been repeatedly coming to mind after my personal study of Romans last year.
Romans 14:19-22
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
Thanks for informing us of your plans, Brian. I look forward to hearing how God is leading you in your spiritual journey next time you feel led to join our conversation here. Have a blessed spring and summer!
Thanks Joshua, it seems this was just a pit stop.
Thanks, my dear friend and brother. Personally, I will miss your enlightening and astute comments. But absence usually makes the heart grow fonder. God bless your time of radio silence in order to be filled with His glorious presence.
Yes indeed, and it was filled with His glorious presence!
I too understand the “Messiah” complex all too well. Blessings on your time of online silence. Perhaps I should join you.
I think you’ve already been in “radio silence” mode for too long JohnY :)
Yes, that’s me. I admit it. But really I care more about the conversation itself more than proving anything (at least in my mind!)
I am joining you, Brian. Let’s talk in person sometime…please visit if you can. I value your friendship so much.
Samantha…thank you so much for the encouragement. (I have been visiting my aging parents so I am behind on responding)
Sharon, I’ve been with my 95 year old mom in Malaysia for the past 2 weeks. Her joy of life is to constantly feed me all the local food that I simply cannot resist. I now dread to weigh myself!
Yes, we really need to take a trip out to visit you and Joe and everyone!
I believe that as one takes a step back, it compels others to step forward. Yes, I am speaking to you! Agree or disagree, until open and honest discussion and dialogue happens, UBFriends is what God has provided for too many who are confused, wounded and/or who seek a new paradigm in which to engage in the ministry of preaching and living out the gospel. Brian, your presence and voice has been a blessing to the body of Christ. And by God’s revelation, may this season of taking a step back be a blessing to you.
I think there is still plenty of room online for people to speak up!
Yeah, Mark, I do hope that people speak up. Like Brian, I perhaps should also practice the discipline of silence, radio or otherwise, especially when the wife is speaking! For now, I’ll stick to the otherwise. The radio silence may follow someday….
Haha…that is great, Ben. I really enjoyed helping my Mom and Dad…and going out to dinner for some great food, too.
Thanks everyone. Ok, so I was only going to end my radio silence if ubf pissed me off. Well, it only took 3 days for that to happen. I’ll be sharing my reactions tonight.
Funny…in a good way.
Yea it’s both funny as in “haha” and funny as in “lala” :)
On one hand I want nothing to do with the organization that shall not be named because of the embedded psychological triggers…
But on the other hand I am not willing to cut out my adult-formative years or write off something I gave so much too…