There is a song which had the lyric, “Nobody’s talkin’, talkin’ straight.  I ask about you and they hesitate, but sooner or later, I’m gonna’ find out, whatever it is they’re not talkin’ about.”

Have you ever been in a conversation, in which there was an “elephant was in the room” and everyone dodged the subject?   Almost as if it is a conspiracy of silence.   I hate being in these situations, but it has happened to me a few times in life.  Not too long ago it happened again.  I sat silently as they talked about everything under the sun, except what was important.  I marveled at their callousness, and refusal to address those things which were right in the sight of Him.  I have thought about the conversation many times since, and why they would do this.  I never said a word…..and I could tell they were uncomfortable with my silence.

Another expression would be “Elephant in the room.” This is a “metaphorical idiom for an obvious truth that is going unaddressed.  The idiomatic expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss.”

I thought about our Lord prior to His crucifixion as He answered Pilate.

“And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.  Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee?  And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.”      Matthew 27:12-14

“When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man were a Galilean.  And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.  And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad:  for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.  Then he questioned with Him in many words; but He answered him nothing.  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.  And Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate.”     Luke 23:6-11

When important matters need to be discussed, let us not be afraid to discuss them and “clear the air” so to speak.  Right any wrongs.  Repent of what needs to be repented of.  Silence will only create distance when matters of principle are avoided.  Some things are just not negotiable.

“Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.”   ~ Augustine

“Silence can hang in the air like ten thousand pounds of dead weight.  It’s incredible how heavy you can feel when there’s nothing being said.”      ~ Unknown

Eileen Light