A Gentle Whisper - 3 March 2009

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

Our God is the Lord Almighty, ruler of heaven and earth.  Sometimes he speaks in a majestic way, a way that makes us stand up and take notice, in a way that cuts through anything else we may be thinking or doing.  Sometimes, probably more often, God speaks in the gentle whisper, in the stillness and silence; just as he did to Elijah.

Life is busy, often very busy, there never do seem to be enough hours in the day; and the busyness takes over, becomes all consuming.  We might feel that we have become disconnected from God or feel that God is distant.  How much of that is because we are too busy being busy?

For relationships to deepen, time and thought have to be invested in them; our relationship with God is no different. The pattern of how we might spend time with and for God might vary considerably from person to person; it doesn’t have to be for long periods, little and often works just as well.  It does however need to be a priority, even enough to put in the diary / palm top etc.

Today, take time to prayerfully reflect on how and when you invest time in your relationship with God, and whether the amount or the nature of that investment needs to change.

Lord, help us to seek you in the stillness, away from the busyness, and grow deeper in our walk with you.

Amen