Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
'Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by.'
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave." - I Kings 19
What does this story mean? To me, it suggests that when we hear of disaster, or when it happens to us, God is not part of the horrors and violence. God is the "tiny whispering sound," the voice of love and gentleness which is always with us, before, during and after the horrors. We cannot rightly find Him if we suppose Him to be something, or part of something, or creating something, which He is not.
If we are looking and listening for God, we must have a sense of who He is. In this passage is a hint: listen for the "tiny whispering sound," and do not be overly impressed by the violent wind, earthquake or fire. God is not in them. Elsewhere in the Bible (I John 4), it says plainly and simply, "God is Love." If God is love, we can begin with that assumption, and listen for Him in love.
Praying for the families of those who were killed in yesterday's military helicopter crash. May God comfort their loved ones, and give them all of the help they need.
5 comments:
It has always being my firm belief that it is easier to find G-d, whatever we believe G-d to be, in the wings of a butterfly than in the back of an elephant.
I join you in hoping that somehow, somewhere the families of those taken by hatred find peace and comfort within their own beliefs.
Beautiful and touching words Karen.
I have been so sad about that accident; just incomprehensible.
xo
Thank you, Karen. Beautiful and insightful words. I have slowly learned this to be true in the past three years. There is His quiet voice, before, during and after, and we are seeing that to be true even here in Virginia Beach, one story at a time. Thank you for your prayers. They are so needed, and I know the whole country is holding up these families right now. One-by-one, their relatives are flying in, and families are going into seclusion to try to come to terms with their new life without a beloved son, husband, and father. The community has mobilized to support them. This too is the quiet voice of God.
Much love to you and thank you for caring.
Karen (East)
Hi Karen! Thanks so much for 'stopping by'. I, too, appreciate your journey.
It's funny, all the 'messages' regarding finding 'God' all lead to the same light. Wish I had known this when I was a child.....but I do now and that's what is important.
Praying those involved in the military tragedy find peace and the love of God in the midst of their own grief and horror.
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