A Still, Small Voice
My Bible reading this morning is from 1st Kings, and includes chapter 19, verses 11-12. In the NIV (New International Version), it says: "'The Lord said [to Elijah], "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." There is so much to unpack in this passage. Some versions translate the first part to the effect of "I [the Lord] want you to see Me"; or "I want you to be there when I pass by." I love the idea that God wanted Elijah to be close to Him. So often we think of God being out there somewhere, in the heavens (which, of course, is in outer space). Our id...