I Can’t Keep Quiet: 2 Ways I Stand With Jesus Christ

Please be quiet! 

Shushed. It happened in elementary school. And at the library.

My mom insisted I be quiet in church—the right thing to do. So, apparently the preacher could yell. But me? No freedom of speech from the pew. True, I didn’t have the floor or the stage.

As a child, I remember when grown-ups asked for a little peace and quiet—for their sanity.

Oh, if we rewound the tape, there’s more examples of attempts to silence me. Instead, let’s fast-forward to present day.

I Can’t Keep Quiet

I’m a woman now. Sure, certain scenarios in life call for silence…for no talking. When my husband’s watching one of his favorite TV shows or wants to hear something on the news. I get that. I need to hush.

Still, the world and culture want to silence me. They whisper, “Shush.” But there’s one thing I can’t keep silent about. No way. No how. Never.

My name is Karen Friday and I refuse to be quiet about my Lord.

Frederick Buechner said, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Engaging an audience through speaking brings me deep gladness.

I’m called to speak. To share my story and God’s story. 

I find joy in not only the spoken word, but also in the written word.

I’m called to write. To share my story and God’s story. 

So whether speaking, writing, or blogging, my fondness for words and adoration for God’s Word runs deep. I’m called to know Jesus and make Him known.

The world’s hungry for real hope. And real hope, my friend, is only found in God. #hope Share on X

The “And” Factor

I want to show you a Scripture passage.

“Then I looked, and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads and myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:12 ESV).

Next, let’s consider two brief word studies:

Myriad: “A countless or extremely great number.” Google.com

And: Relays the idea of connecting words, phrases and thoughts together—continuing. Meanings, “then, also, at the same time, then again; repeatedly.” Dictionary.com

Now, let’s re-read Revelation 5:12, with this mental picture including the power and force of our two words.

“Then I looked, AND the living creatures AND the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads AND myriads AND thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power AND wealth AND wisdom AND might AND honor AND glory AND blessing!’” (Emphasis mine).  

I Stand With Jesus in…

Way #1: Speaking

Way #2: Writing

Myriads and thousands worship Him. I worship Him.

I’m with Jesus in spirit. I believe in Him. And I’m on team Jesus.

There’s no other name I’d rather showcase in my heart and life. No other name I give all the glory and honor to in my speaking and writing.

Christ is worthy to receive all from me. He’s mine and I am His.

I’ll continue to speak AND write AND work on my upcoming book. It’s all about Christ.

World, you can’t shush me…not about this…not about Jesus. You need Him.

As long as I have breath, I’ll tell my story and God's story. #story Share on X

I. Stand. With. Jesus.

© 2016 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved

Over the next year, I’ll engage audiences with the theme of my upcoming book. For more about this theme, my speaking and events calendar, and to download my speaking flyer, visit my Speaking Events page.

Photo credit/my son: photographer, film-maker, digital media specialist. Visit Michael Caleb Friday.

Frederick Buechner’s quote accessed on Goodreads.