“He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13
We pray for a ‘burning bush’ and ‘pillar of fire’ encounter with God. We don’t see or hear God unless it is a big booming voice and He is personally standing before us. So many think that if God isn’t experienced in this way, He isn’t there or isn’t speaking.
God does make His presence known in earthquaking encounters, He will light the sky with His burning presence when necessary. He allows the Blessed Mother to come in magnificent apparitions like Fatima to share His ‘requests’ and turn hearts, But, mostly, God comes in the “still, small voice”, in the sheer silence. He speaks in the stillness of our heart or even more quietly in that silent corner of our soul reserved only for Him.
God has spoken to me and made His presence known in mind blowing ways. My book, “I knew His Voice” is all about these moments. All about how I heard His voice speak loud and clear but how I was to deaf looking for big moments to hear even this. It wasn’t until I was silenced, both in voice and within my heart, that I truly started to hear His still, small voice speaking. It was only then that I actually listened.
I still pray for huge booming moments. For God to draw ‘that person’ to the burning bush. Or, to make His presence known in the fiery pillar and to step into the moment to make a miraculous healing that will awe the world. But, I’ve learned it is more important to be silent and listen for the whispers. When God whispers within our soul, He is speaking most loudly and often saying the most important things.
He will quake the world with His presence – soon. But, for now, God wants you to be silent and listen. To Him, in this moment, YOU are more important. So, He wants you to step within the cave and listen for His still, small voice. Then, go do what you hear Him saying.