Life's Noise

Most of the blogging that I do is not done with the any other intention than sharing what I'm either going through at that moment, or have just gone through.  Once and a while, I find myself in one of those places where life's noise - the circumstances, people, events we can't control - seem to drown out the voice and presence of God.


Today was one of those days.  For various reasons, I've found myself striving for the right solution to a problem that had to be solved quickly.  As the day wore on, and I sought council of others wiser and more creative than I, I became more and more frustrated with myself and my situation.  At one point, I even made the comment to my wife that, "it's in these types of situations I can't make a right choice".  I even begin at times, in stressful situations like this where a choice needs to be made quickly, and executed flawlessly, to wish upon myself an easier place in life.  But, in the words of former President John F. Kennedy, we ought not pray for easier lives, but to be stronger men.


So, as always, I find that God challenges my thinking and convicts my actions.  I suppose, if there's no other purpose in this post, it's to remind you, as I'm convicted today, in difficult and stressful or trying situations, to listen for the voice of God rather than trying to seek out the answer for yourself.  It's a similar concept to what Elijah experienced in I Kings 19:

(Elijah) replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 11 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. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Elijah was faced with a situation where he felt his very life was in danger.  What was God's instruction to him?  His presence and voice.  As the Lord passed by, He wasn't in the commonly experienced noises of life: the ever-noticeable wind, earthquake or fire.  He was in the still, small voice.  Elijah's response?  He humbly entered the presence of God, undoubtedly listening to His voice.  Ought not we all, in times of trial and stress, enter the presence of God, ignoring the noise of every day life around us, and listen to His voice?