by Sr. Barb Knauf
The silence can be deafening or it can be a wonderful experience. We recently heard the passage from 1 Kings 19:11-13 when Elijah found the Lord in a light silent sound, a whisper.
This is one of my favorite passages because it reminds me that I need to take time to be still, to quiet down and be open to hear the Lord speaking to me.
It is interesting how Elijah did not hear the Lord in the drama and power of the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. He found it in the soft quiet sound. I read someplace that whispers have great power in human interactions. Isn’t it wonderful that God uses this to speak to us when we are close enough to hear him?
Am I comfortable with silence?
I hope you are able to sit quietly, read the following passage, close your eyes and open yourself up to hear that whisper. At first the silence may be frightening but do not give up, take a few deep breaths and know the Lord is waiting for you.
Peace and blessings on your time with the Lord.
1 Kings 19:11-13 (usccb.org/bible)
“11 Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake;
12 after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.
13 When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?””