I led worship at a church in Carmel this past Sunday (subbing for my new friend Frank Bradford - amazing vocalist and musician). The pastor spoke about the prophecies of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6, and Christ being our Wonderful Counselor.
Now, I've heard many, many messages from this passage of scripture, but he said something (that I've also heard before) that really spoke to me...this time.
He talked about seeking wise counsel and quiet time with God, asking the question, "when was the last time you heard the voice of God?"
(1 Kings 19:11-13) The LORD said, "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. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
The voice of the Lord came in the gentle whisper.
When was the last time you heard a gentle whisper? I can say pretty confidently that for me, it's been a long time. My day is jam-packed with noises and distractions -- from the radio in my car, the TV at home, music, conversations with other, cellphone, texting alerts, tinnitus in my left ear, Oreo barking, the microwave, garbage disposal, cars and trucks flying past our house, the distant highway traffic, alarm clock, water faucet, shower spray, hair dryer, washer/dryer, computer bells and whistles, printers/copiers, HVAC air flow, etc. I'm even distracted by my own snoring. In fact, I hear the sound of my own thoughts. OK, now you think I'm nuts.
For you it may also be other things like video games, iPod, Blackberry, Blue-tooth ear-pieces, etc. Make a list!
It's no wonder we can't hear a gentle whisper. It never breaks through the sound-threshold we surround and immerse ourselves in every day. It gets buried far beneath the decimals of our lives.
If the voice of God does indeed come in a gentle whisper, how are we ever going to hear it? I'm thinking we're not! We may be losing, or have lost our ability to hear it! God is speaking to us and we can't hear Him. I believe this is Satan's greatest and most effective strategic weapon.
What would happen if we just stopped -- turned everything off? I mean literally everything!
Well, the pastor went on to say something else that caught my attention (that I know I've heard before too).
We've gotten so used to the many noises and distractions, and crammed every second of our lives full of busyness, that even if we were to stop everything, it would take us awhile to even slow down, let alone be still. It's like a train traveling full speed down the tracks. With so much momentum, the train will proceed along the same path long after it has turned off the engine. For example, when I stop (or try to stop), I might be in a gadget-free environment and my body may be motion-less, but my mind is far from following suit. I begin to focus on other sounds and things around me, think of things I need to do, things I've done, things I've forgotten to do, people I need to talk to, food, stuff going on at work and in my family. Faces and conversations flood my mind. Songs melodies pop up from out of nowhere. Worries, concerns, and problems begin to creep into the picture. I'm still speeding even though I've supposedly stopped!
For me, quiet time never works unless it happens over longer periods of time AND more frequently. I need extended periods to unwind and shed the layers. I'm ashamed to admit how poorly I'm doing in this area of my life.
How are you doing? Give me some feedback. We might be able to help each other out. God knows I could use it.
On the Journey,
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