We’ve all probably gone through those periods of time when we feel as if everything is going wrong. Even when we absolutely know many things are going ‘right.’ It just tends to add up all at once, so we can easily, and naturally, feel sad, weak, tired, angry, frustrated, alone, forgotten, etc. Those are thoughts and emotions that just come with who we are and what we experience, and unfortunately, it can be very easy to get lost in them. But, in our hopefulness as children of God, we can’t stay there. Even when it tries to take our focus and demand our attention, we can’t stay there. It might take us extra will and strength to even make the effort, but in faith, and because of faith, we do. And the Lord is here to help us if we are open and truly seeking to hear His voice.
When I have taken prayerful time to sort out overwhelming and simultaneous thoughts and emotions, I’ve had to acknowledge that though they are fair, where they can lead is not of God. It is not the Lord’s voice telling me I’m a disappointment or unworthy. It is not the Lord’s voice reminding me of my errors. It is not the Lord’s voice encouraging me to give up. So in those challenging times, how good am I really about hearing His voice and acknowledging His presence? When these become collectively so heavy, how do I know I’m being accompanied?
As reminder not to dismiss or overlook the Lord’s presence in quiet ways, I’m taken back to 1 Kings 19:12 – “…the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, a gentle whisper.” His voice needn’t be grand or obvious, and we may not always find it in the places we expect. As we yearn for His presence and friendship in both our times of success and our times of struggle, let us not overlook the simplest moments, words, and gestures – the whisper, the voice of God – that cross our paths. An unexpected phone call, a text, or a visit from a friend helps us know His closeness, reminds us we are loved, and provides welcomed hope. Though these encounters may not change or even diminish our current challenge or frustration, we welcome them for the gift and solace they are. Maybe someone mailed you a nice card for no reason or brought you freshly baked cookies. Maybe you’ve done those things for someone else! I came home from a walk yesterday and was blessed by a small gift left for me on my doorstep by my next-door neighbor. An unexpected grace of love and support.
We are connected by the love He has for us and by the faith we share in Him. Let us seek to be lead to peaceful places that are of God and pray for the grace of awareness, so we do not miss the gentle voice of God in what we do for one another.
Journeying to Grace 