Can You Hear It?

Read 1 Kings 19:11-18

"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. And after the earthquake, there was a fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his scarf and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, "Why are you here Elijah?" 1 Kings 19: 11-13 (TLB)

Patricia Kinner Kelly lives in Florida. She enjoys eating yogurt in the morning. Her cat, Cali, also loves yogurt, but she is often curled in a sunspot in another part of the house when Patricia is ready to eat. No matter where she is, she comes running whenever she hears the small sound of Patricia peeling back the cover of the yogurt.

Over the years Patricia has wondered how to hear God's voice and call in her life. She tunes into God's loving presence by reading the Bible and The Upper Room, journaling, spending time in community with her church family, talking, and sharing with friends, and praying. And Cali's response to her small sound each morning makes Patricia realize that when she pays attention she can "hear" God's voice.

She hears God in a Bible verse or a devotion that resonates or a journal entry that reveals a hidden truth. God's voice is in a phrase from a sermon that stays in her heart and in conversations that suddenly create a deeper spiritual connection to God. When she is in prayer or even just silent and listening, Patricia hears the still small voice of God. And if she responds to God's voice, Patricia knows good things are waiting for her.

Prayer: Dear God, your voice is everywhere and in everything. Help us to listen carefully and respond faithfully, in Jesus' name. Amen.