by Barbara Lane Geistfeld, D.V.M., LFL Regional Director of Texas
“The Lord said [to Elijah], ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ 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 …” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV).
Like Elijah, our lives are full of powerful, rock-shattering winds, earthquakes, and fires in the form of pandemics, political corruption, immorality, and lawlessness. Even the body of Christ has been infiltrated and weakened by apathy, spiritual blindness, and a deafness that tunes us out from God our Father. Can we hear God in all of this? It is very easy to hide in our cave when difficulties surround us. Like Elijah, it is very easy to say to our Lord, “Well, I gave it my best shot and look what happened to me. I give up.”
Praise God, He doesn’t allow us to whine very long! He doesn’t say, “Oh, you poor thing. You just rest here in this cave awhile.” Instead, He says, “Get up. Go stand out there and listen for Me.” What a great relief that is! What a blessing to hear His voice again. What joy to know that we are not the last one standing! He is waiting for us—outside our cave, outside our comfort zone. What an important reminder that we will not hear Him over the noise of the television, nor while texting and emailing, nor while hiding in daily busyness. We will hear His gentle whisper when we stand quietly, in faith, and listen.
Scripture reminds us in Psalm 46:10 to “Be still, and know that I am God,” and Mark 9:7 says, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” It takes a conscious effort to listen to Jesus. But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can get up and go out to stand on the mountain, knowing His voice will find us.