Do you ever feel like God is silent?
“And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his scarf and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:13)
Lately, I’ve been having a hard time hearing God’s voice- as though He is playing the silent game with me.
The same game we try to trick our kids into playing while in the car, to afford us a few moments of much-needed peace and quiet!
You know the one.
The only difference is, I don’t want to play.
I don’t want God to be silent. I want Him to speak. I need him to speak.
But sometimes it seems that He chooses silence anyway.
Do you ever feel that way?
You’re not alone. I recently had a conversation with a dear friend of mine about this very subject. She too has been feeling like she has to strain to hear God’s voice.
My friend and I carried on our conversation for several minutes- venting, questioning, relating, processing, and encouraging- the way good friends do. And in the midst of our conversation, I had an epiphany of sorts.
Maybe straining to hear God’s voice isn’t such a bad thing. Maybe it’s quite the opposite.
When we strain to hear someone speak, our posture changes from one who is far away, to one who must lean in.
From one who is busy and distracted, to one who has to quiet themselves, their activity, and their mind, in order to hear.
As women we are especially gifted in the art of multitasking.
For instance, I can cook dinner, tidy the kitchen, respond to a text message, plan tomorrow’s schedule, and reprimand my children, all while the tv is playing, my boys are wrestling, and my hubby is trying to tell me about his day.
The fact is, I do this.
Often.
But what would happen if my husband were to speak to me in a hushed voice?
It would require me to silence the activity and noise around me, giving him my undivided attention, in order for me to hear what is being said.
I think God does this with us sometimes.
1 Kings 19:13 reads, “And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his scarf and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.“
Notice it says when Elijah heard it, (a gentle whisper), he went out and stood at the entrance.
He literally moved closer.
Drew near.
Leaned in.
And we are invited to do the same.
So often, I think we expect the Lord’s voice to resound through loud and noticeable ways.
And let’s be honest- it’s more exciting that way!
But I believe the sign of a mature christian is one who can recognize the voice of God in even the faintest whisper.
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I recall watching an episode from a favorite sitcom recently.
In this particular episode, the main character was laid up sick in a hospital bed, barely able to speak much above a whisper.
He attempted to tell the nurse, who was sitting across the room from him, something of importance, but because of the distance between them, she couldn’t make out his words.
The nurse remedied this, by moving in closer to the man’s frame, resting her cheek against his.
Only then, was she able to decipher his urgent message.
You see, the act of leaning in requires intention, and it produces intimacy.
The act of leaning in requires intention, and it produces intimacy. #whengodissilent #godspeaks Share on X
Perhaps it’s the intimacy of relationship that God is after.
This should be a concept largely understood by us.
How often do you pour your heart out to someone you hardly know? Chances are, you don’t.
Most likely you save those intimate conversation for someone you know who cares about you, listens to you, desires relationship with you.
It’s the same with God.
He’s after our heart, first and foremost.
I’m so thankful for this fresh perspective. Aren’t you?
It has changed the way I view the times in life when God seems silent.
Instead of becoming frustrated by it, I now look at it as an opportunity to lean in to Father God.
It’s in these precious moments of intimacy that we hear His heart.
So, what about YOU? Are you in a season of life where God appears to be silent?
How will you respond?
My prayer for you today is that you would receive the silence as an invitation, and experience the blessing of intimacy that is found in the act of leaning in to the heart of God.
Rachel, my dear granddaughter, you are truly a blessing. I love you
Thank you. I love you! 😉
Great read Rachel!
I guess it’s time to lean in closer and listen carefully. 🙂
Thanks Josiah. Yes, it’s a good reminder for me too!
Thank you for this splendid reminder to lean in, when I feel like God is silent! The world is loud, and we must purposefully quiet ourselves and press in.
Blessings, Misty
Absolutely! I need this reminder on a consistent basis. Thank you for your encouragement. 🙂
What a beautifully written post! Powerful truths!
Thank you so much, Susan! I love it when God gives fresh revelation in the midst of our frustration. 😉
I have found that it’s almost impossible to hear that whisper in all the noise. It requires His rest. I think He;s there but we just can’t always hear Him. For that reason silence is a blessing so we will persevere. Here’s a favorite verse of mine. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2
Oh, I LOVE that verse! Thank you for sharing with me.
I wholeheartedly agree with you- silence, though it may not seem like it, really is a blessing in disguise!
Thanks for stopping by! <3
Wow! I love your epiphany! Amazing thoughts!
God could lean in, but He wants us to lean in to Him. This reminds me of James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
And when I went to Bible Gateway just now because I couldn’t remember the reference, I found another great verse: “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen…” Ecclesiastes 5:1
He already drew near by sending Jesus to be Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus, who gave Himself for us that He might open up the way for us to draw near. What a gift He offers us! What a privilege He’s given us in inviting us to draw near!
Thanks for sharing this at Soul Survival.
Wonderful verses! I love James 4:8. I remind myself of this verse often, when I struggle to hear God’s voice.
Most times, if I’m honest, I’M the reason I can’t hear Him. Because I haven’t taken the time to draw near.
But this passage holds a promise for us that He will draw near to us, if we but draw near to Him.
He is such a good Father! <3
Thanks so much for this reminder. We get so busy we forget to stop and be quiet to listen for His voice. Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #porchstories
Hi Gayle! Thanks for stopping by! So true. Quiet is necessary if we ever expect to hear God speak. Still learning. 😉
Blessings to you!
I think you’re exactly right… when we have to strain to hear, we stop what we’re doing, turn away from distractions, and lean it! It’s then that we can really hear with a heart that will obey. Thanks for this reminder!
Absolutely! God is so full of grace. I love that He doesn’t pressure us. But it sure feels good when we lean in and hear his tender voice!
Thanks for visiting, Karen! <3
I just came across this and it was sent straight from God! I have been aimlessly searching for something to guide me other than the cliche “everything is in God’s timing” and this is the most relatable thing I’ve found. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Allison! I’m so glad it was helpful to you. It’s a message that I revisit often in my own walk with God. It’s timeless- we ALL NEED His voice of guidance in our lives, whether we acknowledge it or not. I’ve found no better way to “hear” Him, then by leaning in.
Praying for you as you practice leaning into Him. May He speak in a way that is personal to you, and your personality, and may your ears be tuned to hear His voice with clarity and knowing.
I’d love to hear more about your journey, as He guides you! Revisit me, and let me know how it goes!
Blessings to you! <3
Leaning closer in intimacy to hear the voice of God. Silence of God is such an important topic for anyone who feels God is not near them in their hurts.
Yes, I couldn’t agree more, Diana! <3
“You see, the act of leaning in requires intention, and it produces intimacy.” Yes! This!
Absolutely! 🙂
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