Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
 
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12
 
  Communication was an ongoing subject for me lately. I am amazed at how people communicate with one another these days as opposed to years past. Growing up I remember my mom receiving letters from her family. She would read and re-read them many times gleaning every bit of information from them. After my grandmother’s death, her letters were a source of comfort for Mom, a lasting legacy of a mother’s love.

  In our country’s past communication came in the form of letters, then telegraph, radio, television, and on to the Internet. It is as though our country is obsessed with being in contact with each other every minute of the day but has it gone too far?

  Cell phones are now a staple in most people’s lives and they wouldn’t know what to do without their phone. I am amazed at how many people are involved with texting so they know what is going on constantly. Once I even heard of two kids texting each other in the same room. What happened with talking face to face?

  What started with the Internet and email has expanded into instant messaging, Facebook, My Space, and the latest one known as Twitter. I was listening to a radio show involving an interview with an elderly lady. She was asked if she was using Twitter. She said she didn’t even know what it was so the interviewer explained it to her. She paused and then said, “I talk to my mailman.”

  Her comments were hilarious and gave me a good laugh, but it also got me to thinking. In our world today with all of our technology are we really connected or is it an excuse to avoid contact, especially when it comes to spending time alone with God.

  Now there are some very positive things that came out of technology, which is reaching people all over the world for Christ. People are hearing the world like never before and responding to the message. Mark gets up early every morning and listens to sermons and Bible studies from a wide range of pastors and teachers all over the country that he wouldn’t know about otherwise.

  All of this technology is good, but it doesn’t take the place of getting alone with God to talk with Him and more importantly: to listen. This is difficult for many people because they believe they should get an instant answer to their prayers and when they don’t they quickly give up and go on their way.

  In the story about Elijah, it is evident he was a very busy man. After all, didn’t he call down fire from heaven, kill all the false prophets, and eventually run far away from the evil Jezebel. He was at the end of his rope when God intervened and provided food and water for him. Following that, Elijah expected to hear from God in a big way. There was a strong wind, earthquake, and fire, but no voice. Finally it was when everything was still that Elijah heard a still, small voice.

  I wonder if I am ready to put aside all of these things that consume my time to spend some time alone waiting for that still, small voice. Maybe it was there all along but I didn’t stop and stay still long enough to hear it.

  I love to get away to the mountains and spend time alone by a stream to listen to God but that isn’t always possible. Instead, I go out on my front porch and sit and look at the mountain. Sometimes during my prayer time I hear the answer to my problems, but many times it is through the stillness I sensed the Lord telling me to wait on Him and not get in a hurry.

  Use our modern technology wisely, but don’t let it become your master. Take some time this week and turn off the television, computer, phone, and everything else and find a place to get alone with the Lord. You just might be surprised at what you hear in that still, small voice.