Still, Small Voice

When I think about God's voice, I often think of a loud, booming expression that cannot be ignored. However, sometimes when God speaks, it is a still, small voice that gently tugs on our hearts.

A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning out some of the things in my classroom. As I was cleaning, I came across a journal that I had kept during my first years as a teacher. As I began to flip through the pages, I came across several names of the students that I had taught.

Then, I came across the name of a student that I remembered and couldn't help but feel as though I needed to pray for him. I can't explain the feeling that I had other than just a gentle tug on my heart - a still, small voice.

In that moment, I just said a quick little prayer and never thought another thing about it. I just put the journal away and continued to clean my classroom.

You see, I didn't realize it in that moment, but God was telling me that I needed to pray for that student for a reason. For, just last week, I was reading the news and came across an article that caused me to pray again for that same student. His sister had been killed in a car accident just days after I had come across his name in my journal.

I could not believe what I had read. I had not thought of this student in more than five years, and before anyone even knew their family needed prayer, God began tugging on people's hearts to pray for them. Who knows how many others were called to go before the throne on their behalf, but God was definitely moving and preparing their hearts for a very difficult time in their lives.

I only wish that I had listened more completely to the Holy Spirit as it spoke to me that day. I wish I had prayed harder and given it more of my attention. Instead, I said a quick prayer and went about my day.

I want to encourage you to be aware of that still, small voice that speaks to us so very often. I believe that more often than not, we miss out the things that God is doing or calling us to do because we get so caught up in our own busy lives, crazy households, or selfish ambitions.

1 Kings 19:11-12 tells of a time when the Lord appeared to Elijah:

"The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the 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 came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

The whisper was the voice of God. This is a perfect example of that still, small voice that you and I can hear if we just choose to listen. However, sometimes, we miss it because we are expecting something big and loud, like the wind, an earthquake, or a fire.

God might choose to speak with a voice that thunders but it's important that we also realize that He can speak in a gentle whisper that can only be heard in us making the choice to listen.

I believe that everyone hears God's voice in a different way. I think He speaks to us through other people, nature, circumstances, and as individuals.

Again, I want to encourage you to listen for that still, small voice as you go about your day today. Then tonight, when everything is quiet - the kids are in bed, the house is in order, and you are alone with your thoughts, ask God to speak to you in way that is new and refreshing. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and then wait patiently and allow Him to speak to you in that still, small voice.

Some things to think about:

1) How often do you ask God to reveal Himself to you?
2) Have you ever heard Him speak to you through others, nature, circumstances, or heard Him speak directly to you?
3) Do you believe that God can and will speak to you?
4) Is there a situation in your life that you are seeking to hear God's voice on?

Words of Worth:

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:12

"Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:3

"You can be sure of this...The Lord will answer when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3

"Be silent and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10