When God Speaks He Whispers
The Prophet Elijah looked for God in the wind, in the earthquake, and in the fire, only to find out He is in a still small voice.
It is in whispers that God speaks to us. It is in whispers that He manifests His presence.
God whispers as we go along, wanting to catch our attention. He speaks persistently, even when we avoid Him, even when we try to shut His voice out.
He is there even when we do not think of Him . . . in our sleep, when we are in the company of others, when we party, even when we sin.
When we look around and contemplate, we will see the hand of God in ordinary things. He is the creator of it all. He is therefore present in it all. When we deny that presence, we are actually affirming His presence, for one that whispers to cannot be an illusion.
God whispers to us in things around us: in the flowers in our garden, in the trees in the woods, in the waves of the ocean, in the starry night. He whispers to us in the people we encounter daily at home, at work, on the bus or train. He speaks to us through people who touch us with kindness and respect, even those who will not give us a glance as we pass them by.
God whispers to us in the helpless cry of a tiny infant, in the joyous laughter of an innocent child, in the happiness of a mother holding her new-born baby on her breast for the first time.
God whispers to us in our trials and difficulties, such as when we bear pain in sickness, or when we see a family member suffering, or when we lose a loved one.
God whispers. He is not tired of whispering --- that He is there, since time began for each of us, when we needed His hand, though we may not realize it. It is as if He is craving for our attention like He showed Himself as a pillar of fire by night and a cloud during the day to His chosen people of old as if saying: "I am here. I want to be with you. I want you to be with Me.”
That is why He puts in us the same yearning, in our hearts and in our minds and asks us to know and love Him "with all our heart, mind, and strength." "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee! (St. Augustine)
I think that God’s attitude towards us can be compared to the joy and pride of a boy who has made a toy ukulele from bamboo and scrap wood. He wants it beside him or within his sight always. For this is his creation. He made it with his own hands. When people see that ukulele, they see its maker in it, and the skill and love he poured into making it.
The same is true with God. He is deeply in love with His best creation: Man.
He made us into His image and likeness. And that is why He whispers. To remind us so.#
From your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, you are there too. If I fly with the wings of dawn and alight beyond the sea, Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand holds me fast. (Psalm 139:7-10)
