The Quiet Voice

It is often easiest to listen to the loudest voice in the room. The attention grabber, the leader, the one setting all the expectations. But what if the leader’s voice is quiet, barely above a whisper, the tugging on one’s heart?

You likely know which leader I am referring to, especially if I were to go one step further and describe this leader’s voice as a still, small whisper in the wind. That’s right, I’m referring to God, our ultimate guide.

I’ve often come to notice that the moments I most regret are those when I fail to listen to the quiet voice inside me–the Holy Spirit–who is otherwise referred to as our Helper. It is true; the Holy Spirit is the power within us that connects us to God and helps us know what choices God would want us to make.

While God certainly can speak in loud, attention-grabbing ways, I think it’s quite fitting that He often speaks softly. I picture God as the type of teacher to patiently wait for the noisy class to settle down on their own rather than yell above them in a desperate attempt to rally them up again.

God is not desperate. God is all-powerful and relational. Most of all, He wants us to freely choose to grow more like Him.

In the end, God can save the world without our help. But God desires for us to follow Him and live into our purposes. He wants to use us in the beautiful ways we were created for.

Today, take a moment to be still. No distractions, not even music or the ticking of a clock. It’s even better if you find yourself alone in nature. Gently ask yourself, what is God telling you today? Is He saying “wait” or “move forward”? Is He calling you to reach out to a specific person or spend your time in another way?

Or maybe He’s simply guiding you toward rest, allowing you an opportunity to soak in the peace only He provides.

Whatever it is, take His words to heart and let them flow through you today.

 “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. ¹² 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. ¹³ 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

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,
    and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
¹⁴ These are just the beginning of all that he does,
    merely a whisper of his power.
    Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”

Job 26:13-14