The Voice of God
-Sheri Gourley

I'm kinda stuck. Here it is late on Monday night, and I still haven't written this article on peer pressure. My feet are cold though. And this lamp is too bright. That sandwich was good. I can't believe I made Tim mad at me tonight. It's raining. My new car is getting dumped on. My tooth still aches. Where did my pen go? I hate pencils. I wonder how much more work is gonna be left for me tomorrow at the library. Why is the cat staring holes through me? What is Timmy dreaming of? Will he still be mad in the morning? I need to talk to Nicole about lunch tomorrow. Geez, I didn't realize for all the stuff I couldn't think of, there are 40 more things my brain is wondering and complaining about. Don't worry, I saved you ... the list goes on and on and on. But I'm still facing something major. This article is supposed to be finished tomorrow, and right now all it is equal to is a paper chewing, lead eating going no where monster. My Bible is closed before me. Tim said I would find something to say. That something would inspire me. And everything would be out on time. But here I am. Article unwritten. Tooth hurting worse. Air Conditioner just came on. That means my feet are colder. And....

STOP IT ALREADY! JUST KNOCK IT OFF I SAY!

Huh? Did someone just yell at me? Oh well. I got a lot more stuff to complain about. Hmm. This lamp is going to catch fire. My calendar is four days behind. The rain outside continues. I'm thirsty.

I SAID KNOCK IT OFF! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME???

Humph. Did you hear something? Must be the wind.

HOW CAN YOU HEAR ME IF YOU ARE NOT QUIET?

I wonder what I will replace my public speaking class with. Psychology maybe. Maybe anatomy.... again.

SHUT UP ALREADY!!!

Okay, now that I heard. I guess I better just lay off. Someone else is getting irritated with me, and I know it ain't Timmy cuz he's at home sleeping peacefully. Hold on and let me listen. Shhhh..... All need to be quiet or I cannot hear.

SHHHH. MY CHILD, THIS IS THE VOICE OF GOD. YOU COULD NOT HEAR BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT LISTENING FOR IT. YOU MUST SILENCE YOURSELF FOR I WILL NOT SHOUT TO BE HEARD OVER YOUR LIFE. I WAIT TO BE HEARD. I WILL NOT SHOUT FOR YOUR ATTENTION. YOU MAY IGNORE ME IF YOU CHOOSE. BUT IF YOU DESIRE TO HEAR ME, THEN YOU MUST SILENCE YOURSELF AND YOUR HEART OR YOU CANNOT HEAR.

Okay. I shall be silent and listen for my God. But let me tell you something. You cannot hear what you are not listening for. God's voice is not the roar of thunder you hear during a storm. No, it is the soft whispering breeze that carries the storm away and makes it safe again. Elijah has been there you know. He tells his story in Kings. He's broken. He says he's done all he can for God. He spoke to the people. They did not listen to him. And now they are after his life too. This man has starved with God, and is now left staved, beaten, and begging for death. But death does not come. Elijah stands before the Lord of Life. First comes a tremendous wind shaking the mountains. But God was not there. Then there was a mighty earthquake that must've registered about an 8.4 But neither was God there. A mighty fire passed by that made the Florida fires look like campfires. But God was not there either. Finally, there was a gentle whisper. And Elijah found God.

God was not and is not a huge rumble, shake or burn. No, we could not respond to those except with fear. And God does not want us to be afraid of Him. He wants to be our Father. So He whispers. A whisper so soft, light and reassuring it calms the spirit and soothes the mind. He does not shout.... ....lest we shout back. He does not threaten..... ....lest we run in fear. He does not push His way in.... .....lest we reject Him.

But He does whisper quietly. You must be still or you will not hear His voice. Simply be still and know He is God. He's waiting for you. He won't beat His drum through the cacophony of your mind to get you to listen. He will not stomp and storm to throw Himself into the cares of your life. No. He will wait patiently. He will stand at the door and knock, desiring only to help. Maybe you have a busy life. But then again, don't we all? But I'm sitting here now, listening to the rain fall quietly on the roof. And my heart is slowing and my mind becoming restful as I let God in and listen for what He wants to say to me. You cannot hear unless you listen. He will not scream. But He does whisper. Are you listening?

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