Our God comes; He does not keep silent; before Him is a devouring fire, around Him a mighty tempest. Psalm 50:3
The memory of growing up in a small town near a lake is forever vivid in my mind. It is not only the sights that stay with me, but also the sounds. On any given evening, the sounds of frogs croaking and crickets chirping is a soothing memory. It is said that a group of crickets chirping is like an orchestra in nature! The sound of silence is broken only by the chirping.
The term “crickets” has another meaning in this world of today, and I have just become familiar with it! Evidently, this word is used when someone asks a question, sends an email, makes a phone call or text to someone and receives no response. Crickets has come to mean absolute silence and no communication whatsoever!!
The idea of the sound of crickets chirping representing silence was so interesting to me that I did a little research on crickets and learned some interesting facts about the little insect. First, the male crickets are the only ones who make sounds either to attract a female or to intimidate rivals. Secondly, there are literally trillions of them in the world, and they chirp louder when it is hot outside. The last and most important fact is that if one tries to catch a cricket, they know you are there, and they go completely silent upon your approach making it impossible to find them and confront the little creature! That’s why the term crickets has become popular because in this day and age people might use different sources to vent, but then when confronted, they will go completely silent.
If a cricket gets in your basement, your garage, or other places, the sound of their silence is not good news because the only time they don’t chirp is when you are looking for them!!
We are a part of the new generation where we are provided constant opportunities to voice our opinion, gossip uncontrollably about others, and post our views anywhere we choose. What happens however, when our opinions, idle gossip, and viewpoints are challenged? Most of the time we prepare to defend our comments and prepare for verbal retaliation, but in many cases, the term crickets applies. It seems to be much easier these days to just go crickets rather than challenge others.
As a teacher, mother, and grandmother, there have been many times when a conversation I might have with others (especially parents) was laced with misinformation, untruths, and even unkind remarks, but instead of doing verbal battle, I was guilty of crickets. In retrospect, I wonder if that actually helped or hurt the situation, but I followed the advice of Chinese General Sun Tzu who said, “Know your enemy and know yourself and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.”
It is frustrating when you are talking to a group of people or email folks expecting an answer, and instead you get crickets. How about listening to others who speak twisted theology or unbiblical opinions in our presence? Do we get crickets from those listening in that group? If we aren’t courageous enough to speak up in defense of our Lord and the Bible, can we call ourselves Christians? If we aren’t building up Christ and loving those around us, then aren’t we disregarding the commandment to love one another.
There is absolutely a time for silence (crickets) such as during a conversation where we don’t have enough knowledge about the topic to make a meaningful contribution, when we aren’t familiar enough with the folks around to ask a question, or when we feel tempted to act in an un Christlike manner. Use crickets. There is also a time for silence when we are listening fervently for God to direct our ways and use us in a Godly way.
If it’s our faith that ‘s under attack, then it’s during the battles that it grows stronger. The faith we develop during these times will be what sustains us in our life’s journey. Defend it! Don’t go silent!
This world offers ample opportunities to sit back and say nothing (crickets) believing that God will do it all for us, but we have a part to play. God has given each of us “a measure of faith”, and it is hardly ever realized by going “crickets”.
amen!