by Heidi Baumgartner, communication director
One night I was working late in my home office when I heard a whimper. I knew that sound…from the opposite end of the house and through a closed door. I knew the whimper of my son.
Sometimes, many times, I whimper, too. My soul whimpers to God.
Sometimes in some seasons of life, I struggle to find personal time with God. My daily clock is often topsy-turvy, and it feels even crazier when I don’t have my quiet time with God. Sometimes, I go through the motions at first. Everything is a giant blur. And then my mind focuses as a new sense of peace and calmness floods my heart.
Mark Batterson, in his book titled “Whisper,” says, “God has an outside voice, and He’s not afraid to use it. But when God wants to be heard, when what He has to say is too important to miss, He often speaks in a whisper just above the absolute threshold of hearing.”
I thought about how I respond to the calls to take care of my son’s basic needs and realized God does so much more in responding to my life needs.
Just like I see a bigger picture with my son’s needs, God sees the bigger picture in my life. He hears the whispers of my heart through galaxies. He has my best interest in mind, He knows what’s next, and He wants to give me the gifts of heaven.
Elijah heard God’s whispers.
He was tired, hungry, worn out, and empty. God came beside him to strengthen and uplift him, and to whisper words to purpose into his life.
1 Kings 19 records how 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.”
The story continues: “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. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”
Whatever mountain victory or valley challenge, or maybe a dark cave of reality you may be in, God is talking.
He wants to whisper into your life and mine. I am trying to listen. How about you?
Activity Prompt
You know the telephone game where you whisper something into someone's ear? The Whisper Challenge is similar (see link for full instructions). This time, though, you will want to play some music. With the music playing just loud enough in the background or through head phones, whisper a phrase. The person next to you needs to read your lips and then turn to the next player. Compare the final result to the beginning word. Have some fun!
Prayer Prompt
Lord, help us listen to Your still small voice. Thank You for having our best interest in mind, knowing what’s next, and wanting to give us the gifts of heaven. Keep our ears tuned to You and Your truth. Amen
