Listening to God
From today’s Scripture: “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 Kgs 19:11-13
Excuse me for such a long Scripture quote, but today’s first reading is one of my favorites from the Old Testament. So often in the Old Testament God is depicted as a vengeful god raining fire and destruction on various non-Hebrews.
In today’s reading, God is unexpectedly revealed as a tiny whispering sound. The wind, earthquake and fire demonstrate power, but the writer tells us—the Lord was not in them but in the tiny whisper. This serves as a reminder that sometimes we need to listen closely to hear the Lord. He won’t stop the world for us, but we need to stop and listen carefully to hear Him.
Let us pray: Lord, help me block out the noise of the world and listen to the tiny whisper of your voice.
Today’s author is Mike Schneider, Glenmary’s former Treasurer and Chief Administrator.
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