Whispering Sounds

At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” 

A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing 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 there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. (1 Kings 19:9, 11-13)

We often think God’s presence will be made known and obvious to us through some grand event with there being sudden recognizable signs.  Like Elijah, the experience of gusts of wind, earth-shaking, and/or firestorms would be telltales, but not so.  In fact, they have nothing to do about God except they are part of God’s marvelous creation – our Earth – subject to many natural forces such as seismic shifting and atmospheric variations with highs and lows and consequent winds ranging from gentle breezes to hurricanes. 

God doesn’t bring the sunshine or the rain.  We are expected to deal with what nature sends us, the good and the bad, and to bring out of them that which reflects God’s presence, such as care, compassion, and love.  

We are the ones who must stand outside our caves – our private and sometimes selfish selves – to listen for the tiny whispering sounds reminding us that God is everywhere passing by us.  We only need to stop hiding our faces.

Deacon David Pierce