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

After my column about bowls, I was asked how I could come up with something spiritual connected with bowls and other utensils. The answer to that is when a person is open to listening to God anything can have a spiritual connection if it teaches a truth. I learned long ago the truth that God speaks in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Being still isn’t something that comes easily.

I was also asked how I came up with the titles for my column. Well, that is something I leave up to my editor. The same thing goes when my column is too long and needs cutting. Each column is special and it is difficult to cut out a portion of it, but it is something that is needed from time to time.  Some columns flow off of my fingertips onto the screen quickly while others come only after much time in prayer. No two columns are ever exactly the same, as the Lord seems to give me a message for that particular time.

  Occasionally I am teased because I write about the antics of my dog or other animal. How could I possibly find a spiritual truth in the behavior of an animal, but I can. The Lord speaks to each of us in a special and unique way and it is important to be in tune when the message arrives.

  I was reading the story of Elijah after he was used by God to prove to the prophets of Baal who the true God is. It was amazing how such a man of God would then flee for his life and end up under a tree asking God to kill him. In 1 Kings 19:10, Elijah cried out to God, “… I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away”. 

I can relate to Elijah as I have had my own share of “pity-parties” as I call them. In my own life I can see the times God has used me only to be followed by despair and self-doubt. There were times I considered quitting writing all together because I didn’t think it made a difference. However, I then realized that what I am doing is for the Lord and His glory, not mine.

  How I desire for the Lord to speak to me, preferably in a way that is undeniable like the rocks of the mountains breaking apart. There has only been a couple times in my lifetime when I could hear the Lord in what seemed like an audible voice that was so clear that there was no question as to what He wanted me to do.

  All right, so the Lord doesn’t always speak in what seems like an audible voice, but what about a message that is powerful like the winds we experience in New Mexico. They are so strong that they almost blow a person over. No, rarely is the Lord forceful like the wind.

  Then if we don’t hear from the Lord in ways like mountains breaking apart or forceful winds, then why don’t we hear from the Lord like an earthquake that shakes us right down to our feet? That sort of message usually only occurs when we turn our lives over to Jesus, rededicate our lives, or experience some other life-changing event.

  We are left with that still small voice, the one the Lord speaks to me in most often. He speaks to me through the small, simple things of life that teaches me life lessons to improve my life. The more I am open to letting God speak to me through the simple things of life, the more I learn and grow.

  Being still and waiting for that still small voice is difficult to do in this busy world. However, the more I am still and turn my focus onto the Lord and not on myself, the more I hear that precious still small voice.