Make Room by Removing The Noise

One of the biggest problems we face is hearing clearly from God. We have many decisions to make everyday and we know that God has a plan for us, yet we struggle to hear God clearly. We all want to hear from God, but yet we live such NOISY and cluttered lives, it makes it so difficult for us to hear His voice.  

The other day I was taking a road trip with my family, and we were on our way to Dallas to participate in a family member’s wedding.  One very important item that I take with me on every road trip is a pair of noise cancelling ear buds.  Yes, you heard me right.  I’m the dad driving down the road wearing ear buds as a way to find peace and serenity!  Did I mention that I have three kids all under 10 years of age?  As I was enjoying my worship playlist, I glanced in the rearview mirror to see my kids arguing over who would hold the iPad as they all watched a movie -- first world problems!  In that moment, I realized how much I loved my ear buds.  I heard nothing.  NOTHING!  The only thing I heard was what I selected to listen to on my playlist – ah, serenity!  God spoke to me in that very moment and reminded me of how noisy my life is.  How noisy my days are.  How noisy I ALLOW my life to be!  

Today’s Scripture

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the lord was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper." - 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)

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Tip from Wade

In the scripture above, we see how God often speaks to you and me.  We can all be guilty of living a noisy life!  We are often like Elijah looking for God in the spectacular.  Waiting for God to scream His plans and purposes our way.  But God wasn’t in the wind or the earthquake or even the fire.  His voice was in a gentle whisper!  I wonder how often God is whispering and we don’t hear Him.  I wonder how often we miss God’s voice in the noise.  The quieter we get, the more we will hear God speak to us. Our Father is a relational God and He longs to reveal His heart and His purposes to us. When we don’t hear anything from Him, the problem is usually with us – that we are not in the place that is quiet enough to hear Him. As you walk with God today, take some time to be quiet before Him. Set aside a quiet time, find a quiet place, and cultivate a quiet heart.  It’s in that zone, the noise-free zone, where we hear what God has been trying to tell us all along!

Study Suggestions

Read 1 Kings 19 (NIV).  Why do you think God spoke to Elijah in the whisper?