Most of us have almost constant noise in our lives.
Whether it’s the inadvertent sounds of air conditioners, traffic or computers
or the intentional sounds of television, music or conversations, we are
surrounded by sounds. Many people I know invite background sounds of television
or radio because they don’t want their surroundings to be quiet.
We may hear the Spirit through the voices of friends and
family or through music or through other sounds. However, we may be more likely
to hear God’s voice in silence.
Elijah, the famous prophet, whose story is told in 1
Kings, received God’s messages regularly. But when Elijah’s life was
threatened, God came to him in an unexpected way:
The Lord said, “Go out and stand at the
mountain before the Lord. The Lord is passing by.”
A very strong wind tore through the
mountains and broke apart the stones before the Lord.
But the Lord wasn’t in the wind.
After the wind, there was an earthquake.
But the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake.
After the earthquake, there was a fire.
But the Lord wasn’t in the fire.
After the fire, there was a sound.
Thin.
Quiet.
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in
his coat.
He went out and stood at the cave’s
entrance.
A voice came to him and said, “Why are you
here, Elijah?” 1Kings 19:11-13(CEB)
Wind. Earthquake. Fire. These are ways we might expect
the God of all creation to make God’s presence known. Instead, God came to
Elijah in quiet—quiet that Elijah can hear.
When we intentionally choose quiet, it is a fast from the
almost perpetual sound that keeps us always at a level of semi-attention. We
may not even be conscious of the wear such sound is placing on our souls. Quiet
gives our souls time to rest, time to heal, time to listen for that thin sound
of God.
If you are not practiced at intentional quiet, I invite
you to try it. Start small—5 minutes a day, or if you are really feeling
adventurous, try 5 minutes at two different times a day. Like physical
exercise, you have to be deliberate, be consistent, and build up gradually.
Thin. Quiet. It is a marvelous invitation to listen for
the whisper of God!
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