It's after midnight, and I can't stop reading. I've heard before the story of Elijah going head to head with 450 prophets of Baal, but right now it has come to life for me (1 Kings 18-19). He stands up to them, he taunts them, believing in a mighty God! The fire descends from heaven, the evil preists are destroyed, the victory is won! And then, after this incredible act of God, you would think he could do anything! But the queen threatens Elijah, and he runs for his life, hiding in a cave, filled with fear. A 180 degree turn for the worst.
It's surprising sometimes how you can be in such a good place, and then somehow get twisted and turned in a wrong direction. Stuck in a damp dark cave. Still desiring God, and looking, but not really connecting.
"What are you doing here?" (1 Kings 19:9)
What am I doing here? I want to feel God's powerful presence again. I want to get out of this cave and rediscover my intimate passion for God. It's hard to see God in the storms and earth quakes and fire. It's difficult to sense His presence when life is all crazy.
Then comes the part I've heard before, but it hits me anew. God comes in the gentle whisper...
"What are you doing here?" (1 Kings 19:13)
There's that same question again. This is not where I belong; and not where I want to be. Lately I have not been consistently listening for God's whisper. Life has been a whirlwind, and I have allowed myself to be caught up in it. But not now, not in this moment. God calls me to come out of the cave, and I am moving, and I am listening.
In the dark, in the middle of the night, I kneel on the floor of our living room, and simply listen intently for the gentle whisper of God. And he speaks. And I am transformed.
Posted on
Wed, November 17, 2010
by Chris Spitters