In the whisper

Laura Digan August 15, 2023 2 3

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1 Kings 19: 9-15 (NRSVA)

9 At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 10 He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’

11 He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 14 He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ 15 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 

 

I have developed a real love of gardening this year. Over spring and summer I’ve been enjoying growing vegetables, fruits and herbs. I don’t have any expectations. If the seeds grow, they grow. If they don’t I try to find out why that might be the case and chalk it up as a learning experience. My life doesn’t depend on my harvest being a success. But for so many around the world it is a matter of life and death. For so many people around the world what they grow feeds their families, provides a small income, pays to educate their children. So when their land experiences the effects of climate change, the extreme heat wave, the drought or the torrential rain and flooding — it is a matter of life and death.

For many in these situations they must wonder where God is?

Is God in the powerful force of extreme weather?

Is he in the wind, in the fire, in the water?

Or is he in the gentle whisper that speaks into all our hearts? The whisper urging us to act for all humanity. The whisper urging us to speak to our democratic representatives. The whisper urging us to be careful as we consume. The whisper urging us to share our resources. He whisper calling us to be the change we want to see. The whisper quietly screaming for us to act now.

PRAYER:

We are still before You.

Be still and let the Lord God speak into your heart today. Throughout the day be aware and listen out for the whispers.