Bear Butte Mountain
SILENCE
Mason Strawderman, M.Div Student, Development Associate - WBS
"After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:12-13 CSB
Looking for God to speak in a big audible way usually leaves us wondering why God never answers. In his lowest moment, Elijah finds God not in the massive crashing cacophony of the earthquake, the wind, or the fire, but in a soft whisper.
Our lives around us often sound more like earth-rending destruction than small whispers. How can we hear what God is saying with the news, the demands of life, and our cell phones screaming in our ears?
Silence offers us a way to practice listening for that whisper. To practice silence is to eliminate the noise of our surroundings and of our hearts. It requires a great deal of patience to allow the echoes of the thunder of life to fade into the background – but, if we are successful in persevering, what we begin to hear is the very Word Himself whispering back to us, “What are you doing here, child?”
To which we may earnestly respond, “Waiting for you, Father,”
WALK THE PATH:
Spend 30 minutes today coupling silence with the practice of solitude and go take a walk. On that walk, intentionally remain silent and focus your thoughts on Jesus when they wander. Persevere in this and see how the Lord speaks as you intentionally quiet your voice, mind, and heart before Him
Bear Butte Mountain
SILENCE
Mason Strawderman, M.Div Student, Development Associate - WBS
"After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:12-13 CSB
Looking for God to speak in a big audible way usually leaves us wondering why God never answers. In his lowest moment, Elijah finds God not in the massive crashing cacophony of the earthquake, the wind, or the fire, but in a soft whisper.
Our lives around us often sound more like earth-rending destruction than small whispers. How can we hear what God is saying with the news, the demands of life, and our cell phones screaming in our ears?
Silence offers us a way to practice listening for that whisper. To practice silence is to eliminate the noise of our surroundings and of our hearts. It requires a great deal of patience to allow the echoes of the thunder of life to fade into the background – but, if we are successful in persevering, what we begin to hear is the very Word Himself whispering back to us, “What are you doing here, child?”
To which we may earnestly respond, “Waiting for you, Father,”
WALK THE PATH:
Spend 30 minutes today coupling silence with the practice of solitude and go take a walk. On that walk, intentionally remain silent and focus your thoughts on Jesus when they wander. Persevere in this and see how the Lord speaks as you intentionally quiet your voice, mind, and heart before Him