Sermonette- Sept. 24, 2018

"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; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.

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?” He replied, “I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken your covenant. They have destroyed your altars and murdered your prophets by the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.” The LORD said to him: “Go back!" 1 Kings, 19:11-15

In this passage from sacred scripture, we find the prophet Elijah seeking to listen to the message that God wants to reveal to him. To his surprise, God does not speak to him in a violent wind tearing at the mountain with rocks flying, nor a strong earthquake shaking the ground, nor a raging fire. God speaks to him through a silent gentle breeze. Before Elijah can listen intently to this message, he had to quiet himself.

Fast forward to today… Not much has changed in the nearly 3,000 years since the time of Elijah in how God communicates with people. He does not impose on us and his voice can be best heard in silence. God has not changed, but we have. It is difficult, if not impossible, for us to hear and listen to God's voice when we fill our lives with noise. Today our noise is to constantly have the television and/or radio on, to frequently be on Facebook, Twitter, other social media, and on our smartphones texting or playing video games.

So how does God break through all of this noise to speak to us when we do not appear to make ourselves very open to hearing him? He doesn't! He simply allows us to distract ourselves and forget that he exists. Nevertheless, he is there when events beyond our comprehension occur that force us to silence. He is always there as a true friend when we need him the most, when our world starts to fall apart.

We recently commemorated the 17th anniversary of 9/11. On that day in 2001, our seemingly desensitized 24/7 news culture was horrified by the images broadcast live on our television screens. What we saw was so disturbing that many of us simply turned off our televisions. The events forced us to silence ourselves and seek the solace of peace as the curtain of our false sense of security was permanently removed. The churches that following Sunday were much more full than normal as people looked to God for answers and comfort.

It does not necessarily have to be as major an event as 9/11 that causes us to silence ourselves to hear God's voice. Patiently waiting with a loved one on life support in an ICU can be an occasion for silence. Sitting in the dark alone when the electricity goes out after a major storm passes through can also be an opportunity for silence. World, national, and sporting events, or being connected on social media no longer seem all that important in those types of settings. We find ourselves with more quiet time than we thought possible and a more open ear to hear God's voice.

But instead of waiting for these type of events to silence us to hear God's voice, we can actively do things to make ourselves more receptive day to day. We can seek out secluded spots of silence, including churches, cemeteries or simply out in the country. We can turn off the TV, radio, or phone and just go about our day in quiet contemplation. The more we do this, the more we will recognize God's voice. Once we get to know his voice better, we will go to greater lengths to listen to his words to us and follow him.