The world is loud these days. Life is busy, even in the midst of a pandemic. Many people; many situations vie for our attention. It's rather wearying. 

I like to come home to the stillness of my cozy, peace-filled home and just sit for a bit after work. I want to turn down the noise of the day and just be. 

It's during this time that I turn to the Lord to hear His still small voice. The chatter of the world seeks to muffle His words and His heart from my soul. I choose to lean into Him and allow Him to clear away the unrelenting noise, the loudness of the world.  I want to hear His still small voice, just as Elijah did. 

“I’ve been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,” said Elijah. “The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me.”

Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, “So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?”

My answer to that question would be "I want to hear Your voice, so I know what to do next. I want You to calm my loud and anxious thoughts as I follow You."

The Lord recently reminded me of this beautiful song, written by my husband, Jonathan:

"There's no other voice I long to hear but Yours. 

 There's no other voice I long to hear but Yours. 

 I'm desperate I need to clearly hear all that You have to say. 

 There's no other voice I long to hear but Yours.

 Speak, Lord, I'm listening.

 Speak, Lord, I'm listening."

 (No Other Voice [I Samuel 3:1-21] © 2007 Jonathan Cole Dow)

Take time today to truly listen to the Lord. What is He saying to you? 

This post was prompted by Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with little editing. (Some weeks I have more trouble with that part than others.) Check out the other writers on this topic!