The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 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.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13
Waiting and looking. That’s what Elijah is doing in response to God’s command. Surely, he had heard of the great and mighty ways that God was revealed to the Israelites and other nations….the presence of a cloud by day and fire by night, the parting of the sea, the plagues. Surely, Elijah must have had some anticipation of a visually stunning revelation of God’ presence. Yet…the Lord did NOT communicate in the powerful wind. The Lord did NOT communicate in the earthquake. The Lord did NOT communicate in the fire. The Lord DID communicate in a whisper. A whisper?
Aren’t we likely to look for God’s answers in the big things too? The famous authors, the expensive medical centers, the big churches? While God certainly can speak through any circumstance and venue, sometimes the voice of God is heard in the ordinary moments of life. Perhaps, God is whispering to you in the moments of folding laundry. Maybe it’s in your commute to work. Perhaps it’s in the wisdom of a child’s insight.
How can you better hear the whispering voice of God in the ordinary routine of your life?
Dear Lord,
I seek your ways, your wisdom, your presence in the challenges of my life. Please open my heart and clear my mind so that I may recognize your voice.
Beautiful and something I have experienced….this whispers.