Listen

A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the Lord. But the Lord wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord wasn’t in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet.

1 Kings 19:11b-12

Think

It is easy to convince ourselves that things will happen the way we expect them to happen. We enjoy the feeling of knowing what is coming up next in our jobs, schools, families, and relationships. Sometimes we may even think we know how God will speak to us, but our expectations are often diverted.

In the scripture reading, Elijah was anticipating God’s speaking to him. Like many of us, Elijah was probably expecting to hear the voice of God in the great and powerful winds, earthquakes, and fires. But God did not appear in any of those. Instead, God was in the thin, quiet, tranquil sound.

It takes getting still and listening to even hear this sound. Be still today and open to the unexpected ways God might be speaking to you.

Jon Chacko

Pray

Creator God, help me to be still and listen for the unexpected ways you speak. Amen.

Go

God, let my seeing and hearing, my words and my actions be rooted like a strong tree in a silent certainty of your presence. Amen.

Adapted from a Celtic benediction by J. Phillip Newell.