Can You Hear It?

I was reading about Elijah in 1 Kings 19, where he is sure he is the only one left who loves God. So God calls him out to the mountain where He is going to pass by. A great and powerful wind comes, followed by an earthquake, followed by a fire but God was not in any of those things. He came in a gentle whisper. What an amazing story!

I was wondering what I would do in Elijah's situation? I want to hear God's voice and I do want to whine and complain a lot about how zealous I have been and how I am the ONLY one left! But I'm not sure things would have turned out so good for me.

First, when the powerful wind came I would have shut the windows and the doors, I would have hid in the basement from the earthquake (wait a minute - is that the place to go in an earthquake?) and I would have quickly run to my cupboard, grabbed my fire extinguisher and put out that pesky fire right away!

And when the gentle whisper came I wouldn't have heard it! Not with my cell phone, washing machine, dishwasher, MP3 player, radio and TV all on at the same time! Plus I'd be typing an email and helping the kids with homework and changing a diaper and whipping up a casserole (like any good Minnesotan would)!

In this day with all my gadgets and at this stage with the constant needs and noise of my family, I have no time for a gentle whisper! But yet that is how God is at times. But whether it's a strong wind or something quieter, I need to slow down, quiet down and focus on Him. Maybe use a little thing called the "OFF" button! and have some time to read and pray.

Unfortunately my husband and kids do not have an off button - or at least I haven't found it yet. But I need to discipline myself to find that quiet time! There will always be a distraction, some good, some bad! But it's my desire to walk away from that and head to the mountain!

1 Kings 19:12-13
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.