HEARING HIS VOICE

There are times where I hear God speak so clearly to me. And then there are times where I do not hear Him at all. I complain during those times to Him and ask Him where the heck He is. Lately, His voice has never been clearer to me. And so, I wondered why that is.
In 1 Kings chapter 19, Elijah was afraid because Jezebel threatened to kill him. If you know anything about Elijah, I just want to slap him for being afraid. Here was a man who did miracles with God. Amazing incredible miracles. Yet he was discouraged and felt abandoned? Huh?
Well God directs Elijah to stand on the mountain and that God would pass by Him.
So God sends a powerful wind – it quaked and shattered the mountain – but God was not in the wind.
Then God sent an earthquake and if you have ever experienced an earthquake (yes I live in Calfornia!), it scares the hell right out of you!!
But God was not in the earthquake.
Then God sent a fire – and trust me, this was not for roasting marshmellows…but God was NOT in the fire either.
After the fire – came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard the whisper, he covered his face.
So what does this mean?
In the case of Elijah, he saw God in all the exciting things – the miracles. But God does not always speak to us that way. In fact – He never speaks to me that way.
We tend to think that God is only involved with the big events – the crusades, the big church events, the Christian music concerts, the mega-churches. I truly believe God is in most of those.
But the importance of this story in 1 Kings is to show us that God speaks to us in the quietness. When we are alone as Elijah was. When the music is not blasting and we are not so busy that we cannot hear Him.
I have had the fortune of being on an extended break from work the past few weeks. The house is quiet during the day. And I hear Him. More clearer then I ever have. Sometimes, it is as if He is right in my ear whispering.
Am I going nuts? Well thats debatable without me telling you about hearing God.
But here is the interesting part I want to share. God has been whispering to me all the time. I just was too busy, too “loud” to hear Him. When I wasn’t hearing His voice, it was because of me – not Him.
So He removed much that I held dear to my heart in order for my life to become simpler and that I would shut up and listen.
And now I hear Him.
Want to know what He is saying to me today?
He wants me to tell you that He loves you.