A Whisper for the Frantic
When we get frantic, how do we find the ability to get back on pace? Sometimes life seems like it’s moving too quickly to get any kind of grip on it.
It’s odd how everything takes its toll and causes stress. We know from experience how much disappointments, problems, suffering, and loss cause stress. But along with this, in a reality that seems completely unfair, we learn that even major victories, wins, and gains can leave us exhausted, posed for a possible bout with depression.
Regardless of whether it comes from good, bad, or a mixture of both, where do we get perspective when we are worn out, or burned out?
Elijah was a great prophet of God. He had experienced a major victory over the prophets of Baal, a false God. God had supernaturally and powerfully shown Himself to be the one true God. BUT, Queen Jezebel, a Baal worshipper, decided that Elijah should die, and put out an execution order on him. Elijah, even after a great victory, ran in fear, lost hope, wished for his own death, and lost perspective.
Elijah went to sleep, then ate, then met with God. We often forget how much it matters that God is sovereign, meaning among other things that He is in complete control. When we are frantic, it is easy to fall into the assumption that God is also frantic.
We find the following interaction in I Kings 19:9-13: There he (Elijah) came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks 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. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper (NASB translates “a gentle blowing”). And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood before the entrance to the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
We find in this encounter that God gave perspective. Although God is more powerful than gale-force wind, earthquakes, and lightning, He is characterized by a low whisper or gentle blowing – total control, total peace. God also showed Elijah His plan – that everything was not as it appeared.
When we feel frantic, may we be reminded of the low whisper, or the gentle blowing, that brings refreshment and perspective from our God, the God who never gets frantic.
Chris Heinss