'God Shapes Us in the Silence'

“Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’” (Luke 1:62–63)

Zechariah’s story begins in the middle of an ordinary workday in the Temple, when the extraordinary suddenly breaks in. While carrying out his priestly duties, Zechariah encountered the angel Gabriel, who brought a message that would change his life forever. His wife Elizabeth, long past the age of childbearing, would have a son—and this son was to be named John. It was not merely good news; it was staggering news, the kind any future father would rejoice to hear.

Gabriel painted a breathtaking picture of the child John would become. He would be a joy and delight, not only to his parents but to many. He would be great in the sight of the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth. John would turn many hearts back to God, restore families, and prepare a people for the Lord, going before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah. It was a promise steeped in hope and holy purpose.

Yet Zechariah struggled to believe it. His mind was anchored in biology and age, in what seemed reasonable and possible. Overwhelmed, he questioned the promise. In response, Gabriel made Zechariah unable to speak until the day the promise was fulfilled. What felt like a punishment became a profound season of transformation.

Imagine being unable to speak for nine months when you had the most incredible story to tell—that you had seen and heard an angel of God. Yet Zechariah’s silence did not mean he was sidelined or forgotten. God was still at work in him while Elizabeth carried the child. In the quiet, God reshaped Zechariah’s faith, helping him grasp who John would be and what God was doing beyond his understanding.

When the time came to name the child, Zechariah obediently wrote, “His name is John.” In that moment, his speech returned. Faith and obedience unlocked his voice. And when he finally spoke, his first words were not explanations or complaints, but praise. Everything came together—promise, patience, and praise.

God still uses silence today. He uses seasons when we are slowed down, set aside, or unsure to do deep work in us. Silence often brings us to the end of our own reasoning so our hearts can finally catch up to God’s voice. Perhaps you have found yourself in a holding pattern—a season of waiting, with unanswered questions and fading confidence.

Take heart. You are not forgotten, and God is not finished. He may be preparing you for something far greater than you can currently see. Just as Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, perhaps God longs to meet you in your quiet places and fill you there as well. Sometimes, it is in the silence that God shapes us most.

Blessings to all,

Jonathan