If you've read the Old Testament, you may remember reading about Elijah's mighty victory over the prophets of Baal. Yet in the next chapter, we find him hiding in the cave . I don't know about you, but I have days where I have just HAD IT and feel like holing up in a cave for some peace and quiet myself! But God didn't leave him there, any more than He will let us hide out and feel sorry for ourselves. Let's pick up the story in the Bible, using the New Living Translation.
1 Kings 19:11-13
"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
There are days that my life seems very much like the mighty windstorm (or whirlwind) in this passage, I have trouble hearing the still small voice of God amid the flurry of activities. From soccer practice to school plays to church commitments and duties of job, home and marriage, life often feels like a hurricane with brief moments of surreal silence in the midst of the storm. So in this crazy, everyday, harried world, how do I find God in the whirlwind? I can't just hide away in a cave, I need to be able to find God in the whirlwind, to be able to hold onto him when the earth quakes, I need to draw from His strength. When His refining fires are shaping my character, I need be able to hear His gentle whisper speaking to me to give me the encouragement I need.
Join me on my journey as I try to find quiet moments with God in this adventure known as everyday life. May we grow closer to the Lord and encourage each other along the way!
2 comments:
I have found myself in a cave like Elijah's...my cave experience resulted from great losses in '06. How I've needed to hear that "still, small voice" in the last months. God has been/is SO faithful...when I get still and listen!
Check out my two blogs at lifesourcebooks.blogspot.com and lifesourcepoetry@blogspot.com.
Blessings to you!
One of my favorite songs is called "Praise you in the Storm" by Casting Crown, Finding him isn't as hard as hearing Him... I believe this culture is too noisy/busy to hear. Glad to see you seeking and encouraging :-)
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