He Doesn't Write in Blazing Lightning

Photo from a NASA websiteI have a flip calendar on my desk at work, one of those that you can reuse because it isn't tied to a particular year. It's called "Quiet Getaways: A Daily Journey Toward Peace." It often provides me with a moment to get grounded. Many days it speaks precisely to the need I have for that day.

Today's message, not attributed to any particular speaker or writer, is this:

He doesn't come in the roaring thunder, as we expect. He doesn't write in blazing lightning as it flashes across the clouds, even though we watch for Him there. His voice won't be in the rushing wind or in the pounding rhythm of the waves breaking against the seashore. He simply comes to us in a still small voice.

I think we'd all prefer God's words in blazing lightning, at least when we first consider it. Seeing direction, reassurance, or even our futures written across the sky is an idea that draws many of us. But what kind of god would busy himself or herself with doing that? How would he or she logistically get such messages to all the people on this earth constantly, daily, answering their questions and telling them what they need to know? And for what purpose? Would it make you or me any more obedient, loyal to God, or successful if we saw direction, reassurance or our futures written across the sky?

Furthermore, I suspect that Jesus was right when He indicated to the people that even if he did big miracles, they wouldn't believe. If God wrote in "blazing lightning," would we get used to it? Would we feel coerced into obedience? Would we become rebellious in response to our lives being directed by large, loud messages? Wouldn't such obvious instructions become overpowering?

Isn't it more of a blessing to have it said quietly, internally, and in His timing, despite the risk of us not quieting down enough to hear Him?

"Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believed," He said to the disciple Thomas. (John 20:29) Not blessed because we earn a blessing by believing, but blessed because believing when there is lack of proof naturally brings a paradoxical blessing of its own. It's a blessing that only those who have faith can understand way down deep, in the most tender parts of their souls.

The key is to quiet down enough to receive those subtle messages, whether heard or felt. The key is to let all of your life speak of God's word to you, rather than asking for the whole message to be revealed a particular incident or crisis. The key is, this all takes time--lots of time--and patience.

Quite unlike blazing lightning.