Dan Czaplewski posted on June 26, 2007 13:16
A lot of people don’t like being shushed; some even take great offense at an irritated “shhhh!” aimed in their direction. I always figure that I’m annoying someone and I need to stop (unless I was trying to annoy them).
This coming Sunday’s Old Testament reading at Shepherd of the Coast will be from I Kings 19:9-21. These verses contain the marvelous story of God coming to Elijah and telling him to stand in front of a mountain. Elijah saw a fierce wind tear the mountain apart, then an earthquake, then a fire, but God wasn’t in any of those spectacular displays. Instead, God was in the “quiet, whispering voice.” (I Kings 19:12) Some translations say, “a hushed voice,” or “a gentle and quiet whisper.” You can almost hear the Almighty saying, “shhhh!”
Where do you go to hear God’s quiet whispering voice? I’m not suggesting that I hear God’s audible voice (I don’t) or that you should pursue that experience (you shouldn’t). But, just because you can’t hear God, doesn’t mean He isn’t speaking to you. He may also be whispering in ways that transcend hearing.
What the voice of God whispered to Elijah is interesting: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (I Kings 19:13). Why are you here? No, really, why are you here? Do you have a sense of purpose and meaning in your life? Do you have an ultimate sense of direction and confidence that you are moving in that direction?
If you don’t have a purpose for your life or if you once did and you’re not so sure anymore, listen for that quiet, whispering voice. God speaks in His word. God speaks to your circumstances and your needs.
Shhhh! Listen!