“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 NLT
Sometimes he speaks in giant signs and wonders, but more often than not, God speaks in the stillness. This is a particularly informative and helpful account for our days filled with “bigness and busyness.” I love worship music – sometimes when I play it, I go by “the louder the better.” 😊 I love to help people – so it feels somehow spiritual to keep my phone on in my time with the Lord, because He knows for sure how needy they are. There’s so much to do today, God gets it if I don’t have time to slow down and be with Him. He’s aways with me, right? And these places I am going and the things I am doing – they count for time with and for God, right?
Of course, there’s some truth in those perspectives, but they all miss the point. Like a guy who proposes on the giant Jumbotron at the baseball stadium in front of thousands, grand gestures have a place, but you can’t build a relationship with them. The gestures will fade into nothingness, the on-screen proposal will become a tarnished memory, unless the ordinary days to follow are not filled with many quiet conversations and face-to-face whispers. That’s where the relationship flourishes. Every strong relationship prioritizes stillness together.
It is vital in our relationship with God to actively quiet our hearts, making a still and intimate place to speak and listen to Him. Elijah went to the mountain cave to hear God. He stayed still until he heard the quiet whisper. God’s people since then have followed proven ways to still the heart to hear. Set aside time. Intentionally schedule time for quiet. Find a quiet environment, a place where you can minimize distractions. Disconnect. Turn off your phone and limit outside contact and other distractions that can fill your mind. Be receptive. Silence your mind and simply be present with God, perhaps by meditating on a verse or phrase, or focusing on a short prayer phrase. Use spiritual practices: Engage in practices like breath prayers, meditation, a prayer walk, or journaling to help quiet your mind and focus on God. One of my pastor friends uses a rosary, listing the attributes of God as a stillness focus and the fruit of the Spirit for his requests.
- Find a time and a place and for stillness. You will find God waiting for you there.